NorthWestern Energy Schedules Whitewater Flow Enhancement Releases on West Rosebud Creek

Billings, Mont. - June 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.

During each scheduled release, NorthWestern Energy will release approximately 500 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water from West Rosebud Dam into West Rosebud Creek for approximately five hours.

Flow enhancement operations will begin at approximately 9 a.m. Peak flows are expected to reach the outlet of Emerald Lake between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and continue for approximately 2.5 hours before gradually returning to pre-enhancement conditions.

As part of the program, all boaters, rafters and kayakers are required to sign in before floating. A sign-in station is located at the boat launch at the Emerald Lake outlet.

Boaters, rafters, kayakers and visitors should also be aware that the U.S. Forest Service has temporarily closed Pine Grove Campground to conduct hazard tree removal. Emerald Lake Campground remains open.

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NorthWestern Energy, provides essential energy infrastructure and valuable services that enrich lives and empower communities while serving as long-term partners to our customers and communities. We work to deliver safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions that create value for customers, communities, employees, and investors. We do this by providing low-cost and reliable service performed by highly-adaptable and skilled employees. We provide electricity and / or natural gas to approximately 850,300 customers in Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Yellowstone National Park. Our operations in Montana and Yellowstone National Park are conducted through our subsidiary, NW Corp, and our operations in South Dakota and Nebraska are conducted through our subsidiary, NWE Public Service. We have provided service in South Dakota and Nebraska since 1923 and in Montana since 2002.

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Jo Dee Black

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