Milk River Project
The Lifeline of the Hi-Line
Ongoing Projects
Stay up-to-date as structures throughout the Milk River and St. Mary system move through the planning, design, and construction phases.
St. Mary Siphon Failure Updates
On June 17, 2024, the St. Mary Siphon failed, causing significant impacts to the Milk River Project. To stay informed clickĀ here.
MRJBOC is seeking qualified engineering firms for a multi-year General Engineering Services contract. Click here to apply.
What is the Milk River Project?
The Milk River Project is beyond remarkable. With over a century of successful operation, this engineering feat diverts water from the St. Mary River on the Blackfeet Reservation, flowing through northern Montana and Glacier National Park, and across southern Alberta, Canada. This project is a testament to the intricate canals, siphons, and diversions designed for a seamless flow of water. The Milk River Project is essential to fulfill Montana’s water demands, catering to eight irrigation districts, Reclamation pump contracts, private contracts, the Blackfeet and Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, and other living communities along the Milk River. The project has created numerous recreational opportunities for the surrounding inhabitants, contributing to the ecosystem’s prosperity and wildlife habitats. With such a prominent and successful project, the Milk River Project has proven to be a symbol of limitless possibilities.
Benefits to Montanaās Economy
How the Milk River Project has been providing to Northern Montana for over 100 years.
18,000
Residents provided drinking water
1,000,000
People fed annually
140,000
Ā Acres of irrigated lands
700+
Farms
729
River miles of wildlife habitat and recreation
Milk River Project Partners
The Diversion Dam is moving right along over the hill, where the wind blows just as hard as it does out at Hallās Coulee. With all good things, the construction season is starting to wind down. The headworks pours are now complete, and the team has reached a solid stopping point for winter. Thereās still plenty of site cleanup to finish and possibly one more wall pour next week, but the crew is steadily pushing toward winter shutdown.
The site will rest through the cold stretch and fire back up in early spring. Remember, the Diversion Dam construction is planned as a three-year window, and a bypass channel is in place to allow water to flow around the construction area throughout the processāso this winter shutdown will not affect water deliveries.
Meanwhile, Hall's Coulee siphon construction will continue as long as weather conditions allow.
More updates to come as this project shapes up for 2026! š§š ļø
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āļø Winter has officially arrived in Babb, MT.....but the project isnāt slowing down.
The Sletten/Harris rebar crew has tucked behind the tall inlet structure to escape the swirling winds, while the rest of the site is dug out and back at it, keeping progress steady. The Pro Pipe team is welding and setting pipe like champs, inching closer to the Hallās Coulee Outlet tie in every day.
Meanwhile, the fresh snow has given NW Construction a whole new list of tasks ā from keeping access open to backfilling and pushing the job ahead.
Temps look to warm up next week (with the usual Montana wind to go with it), but this crew keeps finding a way.
š Huge shoutout to everyone onsite continuing to drive this project forward in true Montana fashion!
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š Happy Thanksgiving from the Milk River Project! š¦
Wow ā it has been a wild ride this year but there is light at the end of the tunnel. From major construction milestones to unexpected challenges, long days, and big wins, the journey has been nothing short of incredible. And through it all, one thing has remained constant: the unwavering support and hard work from so many of you.
To our contractors, engineers, irrigators, landowners, municipalities, Tribal partners, agency teams, and everyone who follows along and supports the project ā thank you. Your dedication, patience, and teamwork are what make this project possible, and we are truly grateful.
As we head into the holiday weekend, we hope you enjoy a safe and happy Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends. Weāre thankful for this community, thankful for this project, and thankful for all of you who make the Milk River Project what it is. ... See MoreSee Less
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Weāve had a little confusion floating around because the sign hasnāt been updated yet ā but good news! š The Fresno Reservoir Tailwater Fishing Access, Fresno Camp Road, the new Tailwater Fishing Access road, and Fresno Field Office are all OPEN. They just opened a bit ahead of schedule, and the updated sign hasnāt arrived yet.
So go ahead and enjoy the Tailwater Fishing Site ā and for once, donāt believe everything you readā¦ unless youāre reading this post! šš£ ... See MoreSee Less
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The St. Mary Diversion Dam is clipping right along! NW Construction continues to push forward with steady progress, supported by their subcontractors Easton Companies and Grizzly Steel, Inc. With constant testing and oversight from IMEG and the Bureau of Reclamation, this project is moving ahead exactly as planned.
This work is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and weāre putting those dollars to good use. The new Diversion Dam will not only improve water delivery for the Milk River Project ā it will also include fish-friendly features to support the Threatened Bull Trout. šš§
Every week weāre getting one step closer to a stronger, safer, and more sustainable structure for our irrigators, communities, and the entire Milk River basin.
Steady progress continues! šāØ ... See MoreSee Less
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When this crew tells you they worked from dusk till dawn today, donāt believe them ā they worked from dark to dark getting everything ready for this massive pour, and absolutely knocked it out of the park.
These big wall pours are slow, but Sletten Construction, AJ Concrete Pumping, SW Concrete, and Terracon put in the long hours and got it done.
300 yards placed today on the Hallās Coulee inlet, and now a very tired (and very deserving) group of guys are headed home for a much-needed night of sleep.
Great job, everyone! ššŖ ... See MoreSee Less
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