Year of Award

2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Name

History

Department or School/College

Department of History

Committee Chair

Dr. Tobin Miller Shearer

Commitee Members

Dr. Jeff Wiltse, Dr. Brian Chaffin

Keywords

hydropower, montana, clark fork river, flathead river, columbia valley administration, buffalo rapids

Publisher

University of Montana

Subject Categories

Political History | United States History

Abstract

“Damming Paradise” examines the transformation of the political economy of the Mountain West through the development of hydropower over the course of the twentieth century. Beginning with early attempts to regulate electricity marketing and dam construction, this thesis traces the development of a conservation paradigm which insisted upon full development of water resources and public ownership of hydropower facilities. The author then follows that development through the New Deal and Post War eras, focusing particular attention on the Kerr Dam (now Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ Dam) and Hungry Horse Dam on Montana’s Flathead River. “Damming Paradise” then examines the attempt to expand public power marketing through river valley authorities in 1944-50, demonstrating how a coalition of business interests and preservationists defeated those proposals and sowed doubt about the economic and ecological costs of federal hydropower. Finally, this thesis hones in on competing plans for damming the Lower Flathead River in the 1950s and 1960s. Throughout the thesis, the author examines the actions of various members of the Confederated Tribes of the Flathead Reservation and the development of tribal sovereignty over natural resource management in response to the threat of termination.

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© Copyright 2022 Jacob T. Schmidt