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.
Have questions about water rights or concerns about unauthorized use after the St. Mary Siphon failure?
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
From Our Social Media
Milk River Project Partners
Hang on tight—we’re making our final approach to the St. Mary Inlet Structure! 🤣🤣
Crews have been full throttle: backfilling, pouring concrete almost daily, tying rebar, welding pipe, and restoring the riverbanks. It’s all hands on deck as the team pushes hard to stay ahead of schedule.
Huge shoutout to the boots-on-the-ground teams from NW Construction, Sletten Construction Company, Harris Rebar, Pro-Pipe Corporation, HDR Engineering, Blackfeet Tribe, and SW Concrete—your hustle doesn’t go unnoticed!
We’re officially coming into the home stretch, and over the next couple of weeks, this project is going to come together. We can’t wait to show you how it all connects to get water flowing again for the Milk River Project!
#milkriverproject #stmarysiphon
Project Completion: July 2025 ... See MoreSee Less
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Not a bad view for a workday, right?
Here’s a look from the outlet of the St. Mary Siphon Replacement Project. The west side—yep, the side that failed—is now fully backfilled. Things are moving right along, and we’re inching closer to turning the Milk River back on. Slow and steady… with a killer view.
#milkriverproject #stmarysiphon
Project Completion: July 2025
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We’ve got to give a big shoutout to Mike for everything he’s done for the Milk River Project—especially his work with the State Legislature and his steady guidance through some very interesting times over the past 31 years. Cheers to your well-earned retirement, Mike! Wishing you and Jeannie all the best from the MRP as you enjoy those grandkids and the adventures ahead.
#milkriverproject #montanawater #mwraThe Montana edition of the May Irrigation Leader is here!
This month, we salute a champion of Montana water: Mike Murphy, who is retiring after 31 years as the executive director of the Montana Water Resources Association. His work for Montana water has been exemplary. This month’s cover story, in which Mike shares his insights about the present and future of Montana water, is our opportunity to honor his years of service.
bit.ly/3EPBLlG
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You can’t blink around the St. Mary Sipon Replacement project without seeing something new take shape! 👀💥
In just the last week, the outlet structure on the St. Mary Siphon project has made major progress. Sletten Construction is hustling to keep things on schedule and get these critical structures ready to move water back to the Milk River.
Before long, NW Construction will have it backfilled and ready for Pro-Pipe Construction to connect the pipe—another big step forward. Things are moving right along, and I know how exciting this is for everyone watching this come together!
#milkriverproject
Project Completion: July 2025 ... See MoreSee Less
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Happy Cinco de Miyo! 🎉🌮
No margaritas here—just manholes, valves, CLSM and a whole lot of stair climbing! 🪜😅
Someone recently asked how crews get down into the trench when there’s no bridge or walkway nearby… well, here you go! Up at the St. Mary Siphon site, crews are tackling the fine details now: installing drains, manholes, valves, and all the intricate components that will get this siphon back online.
Shoutout to the hardworking teams powering through uphill battles—and earning every chip and salsa break after climbing those stairs! 🌶️💪
#milkriverproject
Project Completion: July 2025 ... See MoreSee Less
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🎉 Big congratulations to Stan Schweissing! 🎉
Last night, Stan was honored with HDR’s Pathfinder of Distinction award—an incredibly prestigious recognition that is both peer-nominated and peer-voted. Out of more than 13,000 HDR Engineering employees, only two individuals are selected each year for this highest honor, and Stan earned his spot among them!
Stan has been part of the Milk River Project story since HDR answered an RFP from a newspaper ad back in 2017 to help with a grant application for Drop 2—and they’ve shown up ever since. From the 2020 Drop 5 failure to the 2024 St. Mary Siphon emergency, Stan and his team have continued to rise to every challenge with professionalism, integrity, and heart.
And in this third picture—his beautiful wife Nancy, who has definitely put up with a lot over the years, globe-trotting right alongside him (or waiting patiently at home while he fixes things across the map). She deserves just as much recognition for this award as Stan, maybe even a medal! 💛
Stan, we couldn’t be more proud and grateful for all you and HDR have done. You’ve truly been a cornerstone in the success of this project—and you keep showing up. Thank you, and congratulations on this well-deserved honor! 👏👏👏
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