FILE - This April 3, 2001 file photo shows the Holter Dam on the Missouri River near Wolf Creek, Mont., that is privately owned by Pennsylvania Power and Light. Montana Supreme Court justices will hear arguments Dec.7, 2011 that invoke the Lewis and Clar
FILE - This April 3, 2001 file photo shows the Holter Dam on the Missouri River near Wolf Creek, Mont., that is privately owned by Pennsylvania Power and Light. Montana Supreme Court justices will hear arguments Dec.7, 2011 that invoke the Lewis and Clark expedition from two centuries ago in a dispute that could affect who controls waterways across the nation. PPL Montana is appealing a ruling by the Montana Supreme Court that determined the state owns the lands beneath 10 hydroelectric dams, including Holter Dam, sitting on three Montana rivers. The state court said PPL must pay the state rent dating back to 2000, amounting to more than $52 million with interest. Great Falls Tribune, Stuart S. White, File, Associated Press
By Associated Press

WASHINGTON — A Supreme Court dominated by Easterners is trying to make sense of a Western water dispute.

The court heard arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit between a power company and the state of Montana over who owns the riverbeds beneath 10 Montana dams.

The state says it's owed more than $50 million in back rent and interest from the power company, PPL Montana.

The court is looking back as far as the travels of Lewis and Clark more than 200 years ago for an answer.

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The outcome of the case could affect property rights, public access and wildlife management along Montana's rivers, as well as those in other states.

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