News, Articles & Events

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) persist on different areas of Hebgen Reservoir. This could possibly be due to winds pushing algae from one side of the reservoir to the other. No matter the reason, please be aware there continues to be toxic algae present in these areas, and conditions seem to be changing from day to day. NorthWestern Energy is monitoring these blooms and will provide updates if additional restrictions are implemented for public safety.

NorthWestern Energy donated $10,000 to support Toby’s House Crisis Nursery’s Building Permanent Hope capital campaign, helping fund construction of a new facility that will expand critical services for children and families in Great Falls.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) persist on different areas of Hebgen Reservoir. Currently, the toxin levels at Corey Springs area have increased, and that area is now closed for water-based activities because toxin levels are high. Closure signs will be posted at public access points in the Corey Springs area warning the public that toxic algae has been identified in the water, and that the area is closed to water-based activities. The Rainbow Point shoreline also remains closed due to high toxin levels during regular sampling. The Yellowstone Holiday area toxins have dissipated, and it has been downgraded to a warning. Caution is still strongly encouraged wherever toxic algae is present.

NorthWestern Energy is upgrading approximately 5.5 miles of natural gas transmission pipeline from the Silver City area near Lincoln Highway south to the Helena Junction area. The project will strengthen the natural gas infrastructure that serves customers in the Helena area. The project, located west of Birdseye Road, replaces existing 40-year-old natural gas transmission pipeline within the existing pipeline easement.

A harmful algal bloom (HAB) has been detected in the Yellowstone Holiday area of Hebgen Reservoir, and that area is closed for water-based activities because toxin levels are high. Routine monitoring of Hebgen shows the water contains anatoxin-a, a toxin made by certain algae that can make people, pets, and livestock very sick. The latest sample results measured twice the closure threshold, so the shoreline is being closed. New samples will be taken on Monday, and the closure will be reevaluated once those results are available.

NorthWestern Energy contributed $10,000 to the Butte Family YMCA's community fundraising effort that helped restore the Simperman Corette Aquatic Center following a major boiler failure earlier this year. The aquatic center reopened in late May after a 10-week closure required to complete the emergency replacement of failed pool-warming boilers, a project that cost more than $150,000.

NorthWestern Energy is supporting the Billings Fire Department work to strengthen emergency response capabilities in the community with a $2,000 donation to help towards the purchase of a ZOLL AutoPulse Resuscitation System.

NorthWestern Energy will begin a natural gas infrastructure upgrade project on Monday, Aug. 3, along 23rd Street North between 8th Avenue North and 4th Avenue North in Great Falls. Construction activities are expected to last approximately six weeks, weather and construction conditions permitting. During this time, residents and motorists can expect traffic impacts in the area, including road closures and potential detours around the work zone.

Crews will be moving a crawler crane from the NorthWestern Energy barge launch along North River Road on Wednesday, Aug. 5. The crane was used for the Black Eagle Dam Spillway Project. Throughout the day, equipment will cross the River’s Edge Trail to and from the barge launch. Trail users should use caution when traveling through the area and follow directions from project personnel. Crews will also be working along North River Road, resulting in intermittent road closures while the crawler crane body is loaded for transportation. Signs will be posted when the road is temporarily closed and motorists should expect brief delays.

A harmful algal bloom (HAB) has been detected in the Rainbow Point area of Hebgen Reservoir, and that area is closed for water-based activities because toxin levels are high. Routine monitoring of Hebgen shows the water contains anatoxin-a, a toxin made by certain algae that can make people, pets, and livestock very sick. Other parts of the reservoir are also being monitored, but those areas currently have lower toxin levels and remain open.

NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (Nasdaq: NWE) reported financial results for the Second Quarter of 2026. Net income for the period was $25.0 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, as compared with net income of $21.2 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, for the same period in 2025.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are present on Hebgen Reservoir in the Corey Springs area of the Grayling Arm. Routine monitoring of Hebgen has confirmed the presence of anatoxin-a which poses a risk to people, pets, and livestock. HABs are caused by blue-green algae that are native to Montana’s freshwater lakes and reservoirs. Not all varieties of blue-green algae are harmful, but some can produce dangerous toxins. Ingestion or prolonged contact with the algal bloom may result in illness, with impacts such as muscle twitching, staggering, convulsions, paralysis, and death.

NorthWestern Energy will begin a partial alley closure Monday, July 27, between 3rd Avenue South and 4th Avenue South, from 9th Street to 10th Street to do natural gas infrastructure upgrades. The alley will be partially closed as crews complete work in the area. Construction is expected to take several weeks, weather and construction conditions permitting.

NorthWestern Energy will temporarily draw down the Missouri River upstream of Black Eagle Dam from July 31 through mid-September to allow construction crews to complete critical upgrades as part of the Black Eagle Dam Spillway Project. Work will take place on the upstream west-facing side of the dam and include installing new support structures and components of the spillway. These improvements are designed to enhance the overall integrity of the dam.

North River Road on the north shore near Black Eagle Dam and the River’s Edge Trail on the north and south shores near Black Eagle Dam will be closed Monday, July 13 and Tuesday, July 14.

NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (Nasdaq: NWE) today announced that it will host an investor webinar on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. Eastern to review its financial results for the quarter ending June 30, 2026. The Company also plans to issue a news release detailing its financial results the evening of Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

NorthWestern Energy will conduct planned whitewater flow enhancement releases on West Rosebud Creek on July 4 and 5, as well as July 11 and 18, as part of the Mystic Hydroelectric Project Whitewater Flow Enhancement Program. The annual releases are conducted in accordance with NorthWestern Energy's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for operation of the Mystic Hydro Project and are designed to provide enhanced boating opportunities when water conditions are adequate.

The west, southbound lane of 9th Street North between 2nd Avenue North and 1st Avenue North will be temporarily closed on Monday, June 29 for the safety of the public and NorthWestern Energy’s crews working on a natural gas infrastructure project in the area.

NorthWestern Energy is proud to announce that its Great Falls-area hydroelectric system—encompassing the Black Eagle, Rainbow, Ryan, Cochrane and Morony facilities, and the Rainbow maintenance facility—has earned Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star certification from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for the first time. This prestigious recognition highlights the facilities’ exceptional safety performance and strong culture of employee engagement.

NorthWestern Energy is proud to support two local nonprofits with a total contribution of about $6,000 following its “Make a Basket, Make a Difference” activity at the Great Falls Home & Garden Show and Sale, held March 27–29 at Montana Expo Park.