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
Well, we had an “inspector” stop by Camp 9 today to check things out and make sure everything was in order as we continue cleanup. This grizzly took a lap around the yard, looked things over, and then casually went on its way.
Someone probably let it know a lot of us around here are Bobcat fans… I mean, it is written right on the pipes after all. 🤣
All jokes aside, if you are out around the project or stopping to look at the work, please stay aware of your surroundings and pay attention to wildlife activity. We are working in some very remote country, and safety always comes first. ... See MoreSee Less
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Just a few aerial photos as the snow starts to melt and hydroseeding continues across the site at the St. Mary siphon. And before you ask the same question I did—we do not have that bright blue or green dye in the tackifier. I’ll admit, I questioned the coverage at first too since I am used to seeing that bold color on lawns.
From the air, the application shows up as more of a darker greenish gray tone on the outer edges. It is more subtle in appearance, but rest assured the coverage is there, especially when you get closer it just blends in a little more than that bright blue stuff.
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First, we want to thank our Congressional delegation for their continued support. We are requesting consideration for a new funding opportunity as part of the Big Beautiful Bill package. This funding is a strong fit for our project and would allow us to advance the remaining work on the 29 mile, more than 100 year old St. Mary Canal system, a federally owned piece of critical infrastructure. Thank you Senator Steve Daines, Senator Tim Sheehy , Congressmen Ryan Zinke, and Troy Downing for your assistance in bringing attention to our project and needs to Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum.Today I sent a letter to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation w/ @TimSheehyMT, @RepRyanZinke & @RepTroyDowning requesting funding to repair the St. Mary diversion dam & canal. This key infrastructure provides critical water resources to communities along the Hi-Line & we need to make sure that it will be fully functioning for years to come. ... See MoreSee Less
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Spring in Montana is a beautiful thing. Up at the Diversion Dam in Babb, these big snowflakes and muddy conditions may have halted construction for the rest of the week, but they’re a welcome sight for everyone in the area.
Here’s a quick look at what’s happening on site as the project continues to move forward. The bypass canal might look full in this photo, but it’s currently carrying about 615 cfs. Given the condition of the existing canal and the remaining 100-year old structures, we do not plan to increase flows beyond this. The bypass was designed to handle 650 cfs, so it’s doing exactly what it was built to do.
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🚨 Irrigation Season Alert – Milk River Project 🚨
The Milk River Joint Board voted last night to begin irrigation deliveries from Fresno Reservoir in May. Irrigation districts and Reclamation pump contracts served by Fresno will be allowed to turn on starting May 15, and acreage below Nelson Reservoir releases will start May 10.
The current plan is to operate for up to 40 days, through June 24, or shut off sooner once districts have been covered once. This will be followed by a temporary shutoff period to allow Fresno Reservoir storage to recover, with the goal of supporting a second irrigation beginning in mid-July.
Conservation will be critical during this first irrigation period. Districts will be limited to one irrigation per crop, with no second irrigations allowed during the first turn-on period. The goal is to preserve enough water to make a meaningful second irrigation possible later in the season, with some help from weather and runoff.
This plan is based on current conditions and may change depending on upcoming weather, runoff, and infrastructure constraints. The Board plans to meet again in June to reassess reservoir levels and determine next steps.
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Looks like all the farmers are hard at work in the fields… so we figured we better not get left behind. It’s seeding time at the St. Mary Siphon this week. 🌱🚜
Last Friday’s little blast of winter weather actually worked in our favor, bringing some much needed moisture to help the hydroseed take hold.
NW Construction has been staying busy, keeping one step ahead of BRY Hydroseeders by placing topsoil over disturbed areas and helping bring the site back to life. It will be pretty cool to watch these areas start their comeback!
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