A western Montana dam will produce electricity for the first time in two decades.

Granite County is turning on the juice at its two-megawatt hydroelectric dam on Georgetown Lake.

A ruptured flow line halted generation in 1989.

Ben Singer, the engineer helping oversee the renovation project, says the dam expected to go back online late next year.

Crews still must install a new pipeline from the dam to a new powerhouse, estimated to cost about $4 million.

For the money, rural residents can expect a more consistent and stable power supply, plus jobs and revenue.

The dam's history dates back to 1890, when a facility was built to generate electricity for local mining interests.

Dam operators are negotiating with NorthWestern Energy to sell the electricity.

Associated Press

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