Morony
About the Morony Hydroelectric Facility
This two-unit hydroelectric plant with a generating capacity of 49 megawatts is located on the Missouri River, 15 miles northeast of Great Falls and five miles downstream from Ryan Dam.
The "Roaring Twenties," was a time of economic prosperity in the United States, and therefore increased demand for electric generation. In the last half of the decade, the Montana Power Company built three hydroelectric plants, Mystic, the new dam and powerhouse at Black Eagle, and Morony.
Planning for what would become Morony Dam began before construction on Black Eagle was complete. Originally named the Sheep Creek site, the dam was built not near a waterfall, but instead a series of rapids formed by the creek emptying into the Missouri.
Historic Namesake
Historic Namesake
Banker, money man, and deeply trusted advisor of John D. Ryan John Morony was known as one of the greatest minds produced by Montana. Born in Deerlodge County and raised in Philipsburg, Montana, Morony was a part of the team involved in buying controlling interests in banks in Great Falls and Butte.
Also a leader of the Great Falls Water Power and Townsite Company and a key advocate for purchasing the nearby Missouri River Dam Sites. He later joined Ryan and Hebgen as one of the first directors of the Montana Power Company.
The age of automation
The age of automation
In 1959, Morony was largely automated to be controlled by personnel upstream at Ryan Dam. Before the automation, workers who operated the dam lived in houses at the site.
Automation of Morony made long-term operational sense, coupled with a company-wide cost-cutting initiative and a strike among workers at the Anaconda Company prompted the decision. Morony is still operated from Ryan today.
"Golden Kilowatts: Water Power and the Early Growth of Montana"
The book "Golden Kilowatts: Water Power and the Early Growth of Montana" by Butch Larcombe tells the history of Montana's Dams.