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Butte, Mont. – April 29, 2026 – NorthWestern Energy and the Missouri-Madison River Fund Trust awarded funding for six public recreation improvement projects on the Missouri and Madison rivers. The grant and matching funds will supplement public agency and partner contributions for projects to be implemented in 2026.

A combination of $34,125 from NorthWestern Energy and $376,576 from the the Missouri-Madison River Fund will be combined with $118,900 from agency and project partners to complete projects totaling $529,601. NorthWestern Energy will supplement these funds by contributing an additional $584,897 to state, federal, and local agencies for operation and maintenance efforts at many existing recreation sites in 2026.

“These programs help recreation managers better care for and improve sites along the river corridor,” said NorthWestern Energy Hydropower License Compliance Manager Andy Welch. “When you have about a million visits a year along the Madison and Missouri rivers, even small improvements make a big difference—for visitors and for the resource itself. The River Fund is one of those partnerships that’s proven to work.”

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a license to operate the hydroelectric project on the Missouri and Madison rivers in 2000. NorthWestern Energy currently owns and operates the project which includes the public recreation sites and facilities. The Missouri-Madison River Fund Trust ensures public recreation opportunities along the river corridors will remain available long into the future.

2026 projects funded by the River Fund grant and NorthWestern Energy matching funds program include:

Great Falls region

• Redecking of the historic King’s Bridge on the River’s Edge Trail near Black Eagle Dam.
• Planning and permitting for a new double vault latrine at the MidCanon Fishing Access Site on the Missouri River near Dearborn.
• Construction of a gravel pedestrian trail, signage, and lighting to link the Fort Benton Canoe Campground to an existing shoreline trail that extends to the waterfront area of Fort Benton.

Hebgen-Madison region

• Road, parking area, and boat ramp improvements at Clute’s Landing on Ennis Lake.
• Site improvements at Varney Bridge Fishing Access Site on the Madison River, including widening the boat ramp, establishing a rigging lane, and delineating parking.
• Collecting updated lakebed elevation data on Hebgen Lake for public use maps.

“The River Fund was created to take care of recreation sites built during the hydropower relicensing process, and that’s exactly what it continues to do,” said Welch. “It’s a practical, long‑term committment to ensure these sites stay usable and welcoming, not just for today’s recreationists, but for the people who’ll be enjoying these rivers years down the road.”

Since 2007, 181 projects have received $7.2 million in funding from the River Fund Trust, about $350,000 per year. NorthWestern Energy contributed another $1.85 million in matching funds.

River Fund grants and NorthWestern Energy matching funds have leveraged public agency and partner funding to provide $14.7 million in public recreation improvements in the Missouri-Madison Corridor since 2007.

The Missouri-Madison River Fund trust for public recreation, currently valued at $8.5 million, was created through the collaborative efforts of NorthWestern Energy; Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks; U.S. Forest Service; U.S. Bureau of Land Management; Madison, Gallatin, Broadwater, Lewis & Clark, Cascade and Chouteau counties; and numerous other public and private partners.  This year marks the 20^th year in which earnings from the trust have been awarded to recreation improvement projects through the River Fund grant program.

Created as a public-private partnership to meet public recreation needs along the Madison and Missouri rivers, the River Fund supports ongoing efforts to protect and enhance recreation from Hebgen Reservoir downstream to Fort Benton, excluding the Broadwater and Canyon Ferry hydroelectric plants and the river segment between them. River Fund awards for qualifying projects will continue on an annual basis, with grants awarded each December. 

A list of projects can be found in the River Fund segment of the Clean Energy - Hydropower section of NorthWestern Energy’s website at www.northwesternenergy.com, as well as information about NorthWestern Energy and its hydroelectric facilities.

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NorthWestern Energy, provides essential energy infrastructure and valuable services that enrich lives and empower communities while serving as long-term partners to our customers and communities. We work to deliver safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions that create value for customers, communities, employees, and investors. We do this by providing low-cost and reliable service performed by highly-adaptable and skilled employees. We provide electricity and / or natural gas to approximately 775,300 customers in Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Yellowstone National Park. Our operations in Montana and Yellowstone National Park are conducted through our subsidiary, NW Corp, and our operations in South Dakota and Nebraska are conducted through our subsidiary, NWE Public Service. We have provided service in South Dakota and Nebraska since 1923 and in Montana since 2002.

Media Contacts:

Jo Dee Black

866-622-8081

jodee.black@northwestern.com