Near Great Falls in Cascade County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

From Water Comes Power

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 16, 2022

1. From Water Comes Power Marker

Captions: (upper left) Generators inside the Rya Dam Powerhouse; (lower right) View of dam and powerhouse from the south shore.

Inscription. Inside the Ryan Powerhouse, electricity is generated from Missouri River water as it drops 150 feet from the reservoir behind the dam. The water you see flowing from the bottom of the powerhouse has passed through the turbines and is returning to the river.
Water flows to the turbines through large pipes called penstocks. It is the force of this falling water that spins the turbines, which are waterwheels turned on their side. Each turbine rotates at 200 rpm and provides 14,000 horsepower to the generator above it.
The six generators at the Ryan Hydroelectric Development can produce up to 60 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 54,000 homes. The next time you surf the Internet, microwave your dinner or charge your cell phone, falling water might be providing some of the energy.

Erected by North Western Power.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 47° 34.12′ N, 111° 7.226′ W. Marker is near Great Falls, Montana, in Cascade County. It can be reached from Ryan Dam Road. The marker is located on Ryan Island. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 160 Ryan Dam Road, Great Falls MT 59404, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically entral Montana in Russell Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: It's All Geometry (here, next to this marker); Rocks of the Gorge and Falls (a few steps from this marker); Formation of the Gorge and Falls (within shouting distance of this marker); The Falls Undergo a Change (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain Lewis Arrives at the Great Falls (within shouting distance of this marker); Great Falls of the Missouri River (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lewis and Clark Passed Here (approx. 0.2 miles away); Land of Many Uses / Sulphur Springs Hiking Trail / Lewis and Clark Reach the Rapids (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Great Falls.

The Power Plant and From Water Comes Power Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 16, 2022

2. The Power Plant and From Water Comes Power Marker

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 16, 2022

3. From Water Comes Power Marker

The Power Plant.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 16, 2022

4. The Missouri River heading downstream after passing through the power plant.

Electric Stove Kitchen image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 16, 2022

5. Electric Stove Kitchen

Originally built to demonstrate a 'new' way of cooking food.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 149 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 2, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.