Libby Dam Visitor Center opens for Summer 2013
by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Libby Dam
May 24, 2013
The Libby Dam Visitor Center will be open starting Memorial Day Weekend, May 25, 9:30am-6pm, daily with some closures and reduced services: We are advising visitors to call ahead for open hours and days for the Visitor Center in May and early June. (406) 293-5577.
Due to budget cuts and staffing shortages, we will be unable to offer regularly scheduled tours of the dam until June 24.
Starting the week of June 24th and running through Sept 15, the visitor center will resume regular summer schedule: open 7 days a week from 9:30am to 6:00 pm and offering daily tours at 10am, Noon, 2pm and 4pm. - Please note some tours may be cancelled due to staff shortages. We recommend calling ahead to verify availability. (406) 293-5577.
The Libby Dam Visitor Center has a variety of hands-on exhibits featuring wildlife and fisheries, flood control, hydropower and recreation in the exhibit area, book/gift sales area, and short films including "The Power and Beauty of the Kootenai", and "The Libby Dam Story." A new display about the Columbia River Treaty with Canada will be unveiled this spring.
Located off Montana Highway 37 approximately 17 miles northwest of Libby, the dam stands 420 feet high and a half-mile wide, and forms the 90-mile-long Lake Koocanusa reservoir. The reservoir's name, Koocanusa, combines Kootenai River, Canada and U.S.A. Half the reservoir extends above the U.S.-Canadian border.
The visitor center is located on the west side of the dam and can be reached by driving 3.5 miles up Forest Development Road No. 228. The Visitor Center is located in the Souse Gulch Day use area. The Souse Gulch Day Use Area at Libby Dam will be open May 15 through Mid-September. Activities available here include: horseshoes, volleyball, a challenging 18 hole disc-golf course, fishing, boating and wildlife viewing as well as a plentitude of picnic tables and shelters with restrooms and nearby playground equipment. Some loaner lifejackets and play-equipment are available for checkout from the visitor center.
Great views of beautiful Lake Koocanusa and the Kootenai river can be found from the many viewpoints around the dam, as well as the picnic areas. Bring your binoculars and camera, Libby Dam is a designated Watchable Wildlife area!
Below the dam, there are primitive campsites to be found at Dunn Creek Flats, Blackwell Flats Campground, Alexander Creek and in the Downriver recreation area. Campsites are available on first come, first served basis, with no reservations.
More information can be found on the Libby Dam Website:
http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/LocksandDams/LibbyDam.aspx
When playing in and around the water, the Corps of Engineers water safety dog, Bobber, would like to remind everyone to please wear a lifejacket. http://www.bobber.info
Call for more information (406) 293-5577.
Recreation opportunities at Libby Dam, Summer 2013
FREE Family-friendly activities available anytime at Libby Dam this summer include: Horseshoes, volleyball, basketball, tetherball, playground equipment for the little ones, fishing, picnicking, 18 hole disc-golf course, and visitor center with educational displays and films. We have some sporting equipment available for day-use check-out in the visitor center. The three Picnic shelters may be reserved in advance for large groups by calling 406-293-5577.
Regular public tours of the dam will begin the last week of June and run through mid-September this year. Visitor Center open hours and tours available during early June will vary, please call ahead: 406-293-5577.
New this year: Junior Ranger Explorer!
The Junior Ranger Explorer is a new program, geared towards children accompanied by an adult: Parents or a responsible adult can check out an explorer daypack from the visitor center, and they and the aspiring junior ranger can spend a couple of hours exploring the area and learning about tracking, bird watching, animals, plants, Libby Dam, history, and other topics. Contact Ranger Susan for more information: 406-293-7751 x253.
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