School bus-sized boulder hits Madison Dam. Ennis Lake to be drained
About the “boulder.” Story by Lauren Russell, Bozeman Chronicle Staff Writer
Update Sept. 4. Road closed due to damaged dam to open for Labor Day weekend. Bozeman Chronicle.

Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project.
5 Responses to School bus-sized boulder hits Madison Dam. Ennis Lake to be drained
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It would be nice to see a picture
Jeff,
Here is one http://www.kxlf.com/player/?video_id=4109&zone=45&categories=45
Probably not going to “drain” Ennis Lake, but PPL is projecting a drop of about 9 feet.
After the Hebgen hysteria here two years ago (Hebgen dam malfunctioned Labor Day weekend 2008), I expect rumors that the town of Ennis will be sucked into a whirlpool and carried off to the Gulf of Mexico.
The lake is so shallow that a 9′ drop will make some serious mudflats.
I love the Beartrap Canyon below the dam…the only place I’ve ever seen mountain goats come down to the river to drink.
I’ve always hoped this dam will go away some day.
I have updated this story.