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<br />Fort Benton, Montana, where stage records began in ~la1'3. 'llis'charge
<br />records are avaIlable at this same location since '1890.:.:O:A'table showing
<br />historical peak valUes for some of the stations~ in' the flood arelL is
<br />presented in a subsequent' section of this report.
<br />
<br />III. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
<br />
<br />12. POPULATION
<br />
<br />The tot,al population of the area acicording to the 1960 census is
<br />approximately 140,000 of which about76~,300 is claSsed as urban. Cities
<br />and towns which sustained flood damage include Great Falls, the largest
<br />city in Montana with a population of 55,357 in 1960; Lewistown, 1,408;
<br />Shelby, 4,017; Browning i 2,011; Chouteau, 1,966; East' Glacier, 400;
<br />Augusta, 400; Dupuyer, 125; and sUn River, 100. Almost the entire urban
<br />population in the area is located'in these citieS and towns. The only
<br />other cities in the flood area that exceed 2,500 are Cut Bank, Fort
<br />Benton, and Conrad. All other towns have populations of less then 1,000
<br />inhabitants. '
<br />
<br />13. INDUSTRY
<br />
<br />Agriculture is the principal industry in this northwest Montana
<br />area. Income from agricultural products is about eVenly divided between
<br />crops and livestock. Wheat is the major crop. other crops include hay
<br />and forage ,barley, oats, rye, corn, and various seed crops . Livestock
<br />,consists largely of cattle, sheep, and hogs. The major portion of the
<br />flood area is used for livestock grazing land. other industries in the
<br />area are predominantly manufacturing, mineral production ,and lUIt1bering.
<br />Manufacturing, centered largely at Great Falls, consists primarily of
<br />food production followed in importance by petroleum' and coal products,
<br />stone and clay products, metal products, chemicals ~ printing, and other
<br />miscellaneous products. The leading mineral is petroleum followed by
<br />coal, natural gas, and various metals; Lumbering and production of
<br />lumber products plays an important role in the economy of the area.
<br />Tourism is ~one~ or- the more important industries in the state of )Iontana
<br />and particularly in the area involved in the flood of J1.me 1964. Glacier
<br />National Park and Lewis and Clark National Forest, two major tourist
<br />attractions, are located within the' flood area. The entire area, is rich
<br />in Indian lore and boasts a fine western heritage which along with the
<br />cool'mountain climate, wide open spaces, and attractive s ceneryprovides
<br />a strong attraction to tourists .
<br />
<br />14. TRANSPORTATION
<br />
<br />All parts of the northwestern Montana area are served by railroad,
<br />air, and highways. Access to principal marketing areas is readily
<br />obtainable from all areas. Rail and highway facilities are particularly
<br />vulnerable to flood damage due to the many stream crossings required.
<br />
<br />5
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