HELENA, Mont. – The Bureau of Reclamation will be conducting work on the Canyon Ferry Dam crest on Montana State Highway 284, from March 25 to the end of May. The work will close one lane, and motorists should expect traffic delays of up to 15 minutes. The temporary traffic delays will allow Reclamation staff to safely conduct the necessary maintenance.
The maintenance work includes a complete cleaning of all of the internal drains within the dam. Proper operation of these drains help the dam to continue to function as it was designed to do and is a normal maintenance practice for concrete dams.
Construction on Canyon Ferry Dam began in May of 1948 and was completed in June of 1954. The dam, powerplant, and reservoir constitute the Canyon Ferry Unit. Canyon Ferry Reservoir offers a wide range of water resources, including flood prevention, hydropower generation, irrigation, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities.
Canyon Ferry Reservoir is located approximately 15 miles east of Helena. Travel East on East Custer Avenue, which tuns into Canyon Ferry Road, for approximately 15 miles to the dam.
Canyon Ferry Reservoir offers excellent fishing opportunities for rainbow trout, perch, ling, and walleye, with 33,500 surface acres of water and 96 shoreline miles. Concrete boat ramps, campgrounds, day-use areas, shelters, swimming, and three marinas are also available. View available recreation information here.
Contact the Canyon Ferry Field Office at 406-475-3310 or visit https://www.usbr.gov/gp/mtao for more information.
