Waters of Wealth

Waters of Wealth was first published four years after the dedication of Libby Dam in 1975. Author Donald Spritzer produced a lively, well-researched account of the history of the "Kootenai Loop" from prehistory through the 40 years of false starts, international negotiations and final construction of the Libby Dam, administered by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

The "loop" is the path of the Kootenai River from Canal Flats in British Columbia south to the U.S.; through the Tobacco Valley; west past Libby and Troy, Montana; northwest past Bonners Ferry, Idaho and back into British Columbia to Kootenay Lake; past Creston and Nelson; and to the Columbia at Castlegar. Much has happened on the "Loop" since Waters of Wealth was first published, but Spritzer's history stands as a one-of-a-kind recounting of the myriad people wholived along the river - indigenous Kutenais, explorers, gold-seeking prospectors and shakers and movers of early pioneer days - and eforts to harness the Kootenai's flow for production of electrical power.

With Mr. Spritzer's permission, this second edition is presented to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the first electricity to\ flow from the turbines at Libby Dam, turned by the waters of wealth.