Lake Koocanusa is 90 miles long with a 370-foot-deep reservoir formed by Libby Dam, backing water 42 miles into Canada. Potential flood water is stored to protect areas of British Columbia, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Waters of Lake Koocanusa are also used to generate hydroelectric power and provide public recreation. Electricity produced by the generators ties into the Bonneville Power Administration system which links the Pacific Northwest.
Did you know that the name Koocanusa was suggested by a Libby resident who took the KOO from Kootenai River, CAN from Canada, and USA from the United States of America?
All of the land immediately adjacent to the lake in the United States is in Government ownership and a variety of public recreation areas have been developed around the lake. Activities include fishing, boating, swimming, hunting and camping. Regulations should be checked locally.
Recreation areas on Lake Koocanusa are Souse Gulch, Yarnell Islands, Koocanusa Marina and Resort, McGillivray Campground, Barron Creek, Peck Gulch, Rexford Bench and Tobacco Plains. Six of the facilities are run by the U.S. Forest Service, one by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and one is a commercial facility.
Lake Koocanusa Bridge is the longest and highest in Montana and provides the only crossing of the Lake in the United States. The bridge is 2,437 feet long.
For photos & history of dam construction, click here
Go directly to the U.S. Army COE official Libby Dam site, click here