Hikers enjoy sights, sounds atop Cochrane Dam

About 200 people on Sunday (6/22) crossed the cement walkway atop PPL Montana’s Cochrane Dam, taking advantage of a popular trail in Great Falls and observing the powerful waters of the Missouri River pour over the dam. 

PPL Montana, working with Recreational Trails Inc., opens the dam for public use several times a year, allowing hikers easier access to a popular trail system on both sides of the Missouri River. 

Visitors to Cochrane Dam enjoyed spectacular sights and sounds Sunday (6/22).

The scenery was particularly dramatic on Sunday.

With the heavy snowpack this year, visitors were treated to the sights and sounds of high river flows coming over the dam with a loud, powerful roar.

Recreational Trails Inc., a volunteer, nonprofit organization, oversees the River’s Edge Trail, which meanders through Great Falls and connects parks and other points of interest along the Missouri River.

The organization also provides security at the dam and other staff to look out for people’s safety during the Cochrane crossing. Opening the crossing allows the connection of the North shore and South shore trails. The public can hike or bike all the way around with the crossing open.

Hikers cross the cement walkway atop PPL Montana's Cochrane Dam.

“We operate dams on the most scenic rivers in Montana, including the Missouri River through Great Falls. We have a good relationship with Recreational Trails and are happy to open Cochrane for public enjoyment,” said Jeremy Clotfelter, manager-Operations and Maintenance for all of PPL Montana’s hydroelectric facilities.
 
“It was great to see so many people participate and enjoy the same spectacular views that we enjoy every day while working on the river,” he said.

Cochrane Dam is one of PPL Montana’s five hydroelectric plants on the Missouri River near Great Falls. PPL Montana retains and manages as a natural area the lands it owns on the north and south shores adjacent to the Cochrane reservoir.