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 click here.
MRJBOC invites the public to participate in the Draft Watershed-EIS Plan Scoping Meeting. Click here to learn more and get involved.
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 Montana’s 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
Acres of irrigated lands
700+
Farms
729
River miles of wildlife habitat and recreation
Milk River Project Partners
🚨 Public Comment Period Now Open! 🚨
The Draft Watershed Plan – Environmental Impact Statement for the Milk River & St. Mary River Watersheds is officially out — and your input matters on how we move forward with the rehabilitation of the St. Mary Canal system! 💧
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has prepared a Draft Watershed Plan-Environmental Impact Statement (Draft Plan-EIS) for the Milk River and St. Mary River Watersheds. The effort is sponsored by the Milk River Joint Board of Control, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and in participation with the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council.
📄 View the Draft Plan-EIS:
www.milkriverproject.com/projects/watershed
🗓️ Public Comment Period: Feb. 13 – March 30, 2026
📍 Join us at a public meeting to learn more & submit comments!
Have a voice in the future of the project as we push forward to rehabilitate the 29-mile St. Mary canal system — we hope to see you there!
#milkriverproject ... See MoreSee Less
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
This one is a little bittersweet and definitely a moment that deserves to be captured in history and appreciated by us all. This structure stood tall for over 100 years, originally built between 1913–1915.
So today we’re going with a little Throwback Thursday shoutout to the St. Mary Diversion Dam bridge structure that was constructed at what was then referred to as Camp 2.
As you can see in the video, the structure was removed today — and incredibly, it came off in one solid piece.
Kudos to the engineering and craftsmanship of the men who built it more than a century ago. Their work truly stood the test of time.
#milkriverproject #stmarydiversion ... See MoreSee Less
11 CommentsComment on Facebook
Things are about to start looking a little different at the St. Mary Diversion Dam as NW Construction begins removing the old bridge structure. A new bridge will not be installed in its place, as there hasn’t been vehicle access to the other side for many years. Work is picking back up at the Diversion site, and we’re excited to see progress underway once again.
#milkriverproject #stmarydiversion
📸: Thomas Gervais ... See MoreSee Less
8 CommentsComment on Facebook
Last week brought some surprisingly pleasant weather onsite, with warmer than normal February temps. Crews made the most of it — pushing ahead with backfilling, CLSM under the pipes, and extensive forming as the Halls Coulee Siphon inlet apron continues to take shape. More concrete placements on deck this week!
#milkriverproject #hallscouleesiphon ... See MoreSee Less
20 CommentsComment on Facebook
I wanted to get out ahead of this since it’s a question that has been coming up frequently in recent project updates. With below-average snowpack in the Milk River Basin, we understand how important it is to get the St. Mary system back online as early as possible. While we’re hesitant to commit to a firm date, historically we typically come online around mid-April. In drier years, we have even been able to push water in March when conditions allow, and our team is working hard to make an early spring turn-on a possibility again this year.
The reason we avoid locking in dates is simple. Anyone who has spent time around Babb knows Montana weather can change quickly and throw a wrench into even the best-laid plans. Our crews and project team are doing everything they can to keep things moving and hit these targets, but we also need to remain flexible as site and weather conditions evolve. We appreciate your patience and will continue to provide updates as we move closer to startup.
#milkriverproject #irrigation2026 #hallscouleesiphon
@followers @topfans ... See MoreSee Less
11 CommentsComment on Facebook
That’s a wrap, folks! 🧱✅
Sletten Construction has officially completed all concrete pours on the Hall’s Coulee Siphon outlet structure! With the outlet fully poured, the next step is allowing the concrete to cure before forms are pulled so NW Construction can jump back in to complete backfilling, realign the canal, and begin preparing the area for liner installation. Another major milestone on this critical piece of the project — great work by all crews on site! 💪🚧
#milkriverproject #hallscouleesiphon ... See MoreSee Less
37 CommentsComment on Facebook