Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area
Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area is a non-motorized recreation area located on the west side of the Missouri River and Holter Lake located about 30 miles (48 km) north of Helena, Montana. Designated as a wilderness study area in 1981, the Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area contains approximately 6,666 acres (2,698 ha) of nearly roadless land, about half of which is forested. A portion of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is contained inside the study area.
The Sleeping Giant formation, image taken from the south, looking north
The Sleeping Giant wilderness study area is an important habitat for mountain goats.
The "head" of the Sleeping Giant, image taken from the north, looking to the south
Holter Dam is a hydroelectric straight gravity dam on the Missouri River about 45 miles (72 km) northeast of Helena, Montana, in the United States. The dam, which was built between 1908 and 1918, is 1,364 feet (416 m) long and 124 feet (38 m) high. The reservoir formed by the dam, Holter Lake is 25 miles (40 km) long and has a storage capacity of 243,000 acre-feet (300,000,000 m3) of water when full. The dam is a "run-of-the-river" dam because it can generate electricity without needing to store additional water supplies behind the dam.
Holter Dam in 1918
Holter Lake circa the early 2000s, with the Holter Lake Campground in the foreground.
The Madison limestone walls of the Gates of the Mountains.
Interior of the Holter Dam powerhouse in 1994. Generating turbine No. 1 is in the foreground.
