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.
Wildlife & Recreational Benefits
The Milk River flows over 700 miles creating incredible wildlife habitats, hunting, and recreational benefits.
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
Throwback Thursday! As we gear up for next week's pipe delivery, let's take a moment to appreciate the history of the St. Mary Project. 📸 Check out this incredible shot from January 29, 1915, where government freight teams are hard at work hauling steel pressure pipes for the St. Mary Siphon Crossing. 🚛💪 It's amazing to see how far we've come!
#stmarysiphon #ThrowbackThursday #milkriverproject ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
At the peak of this project was there any record of the number of men and horses that was working on the project?
The first round of pipe is painted and waiting outside, ready for pickup! Soon, they’ll be loaded onto trucks for their journey from Northwest Pipe Company to the St. Mary Siphon site. NW Construction has the site fully prepped and graded, ready for installation. Things are really picking up, and the rebuilding action kicks off next week. Exciting times ahead!
#NWConstruction #stmarysiphon #northwestpipe ... See MoreSee Less
9 CommentsComment on Facebook
Where is the plant located? Just curious
What is travel time like ?
Are they steel to be welded?
Load More
We are giving old materials new life around here! NW Construction is busy crushing down the old concrete saddles into gravel for our haul roads. As the saddles are processed into gravel a magnet pulls out the rebar for recycling. Here’s to another 100 years! #stmarysiphon #milkriverproject ... See MoreSee Less
13 CommentsComment on Facebook
Here is another look at the material processing.
That is pretty cool, gotta be some good hard concrete for aggregate at this point! Holler if you end up with extra!
Impressive use of available materials.
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Throwback Thursday! It’s amazing how much has changed in 110 years. This photo from October 1914 captures subcontractors hard at work excavating for pipe supports during the installation of the original St. Mary Siphon. #milkriverproject #StMarySiphon ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
I was raised on the ranch where the irrigation canal met the Milk river. The last drop.
They did quite well back then. They did not have any large Caterpillar hydraulic excavators back then.:)
There were many questions and concerns about how the large culvert was being used at the St. Mary Diversion Dam, so we’re happy to report that it’s now been successfully flipped and secured in its final position for the remainder of the project. As you may recall, this culvert will provide access once the bypass channel is operating, allowing us to transfer water to the Milk River.
#NWConstruction #milkriverproject #stmarydiversion ... See MoreSee Less
7 CommentsComment on Facebook
Great job Thanks for the Awesome updates.
I so appreciate the updates
Amazing pictures
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🚨 Attention farmers and ranchers in Blaine, Glacier, Hill, Phillips, and Valley counties, including the Blackfeet Nation and Fort Belknap Indian Community! 🚨
If you've been affected by the St. Mary Canal siphon failure, now’s your chance to apply for support through the USDA NRCS St. Mary Initiative. 🌾🐄
👉 Visit your local NRCS office to get started. Don’t wait! The final application deadline is February 28, 2025. ⏳
Take action today to secure the assistance you need! #StMaryInitiative #USDA #milkriverproject #NRCS ... See MoreSee Less
St. Mary Emergency Targeted Implementation Plan | Natural Resources Conservation Service
www.nrcs.usda.gov
This Targeted Implementation Plan (TIP) is available in Blaine, Glacier, Hill, Phillips, and Valley counties. TIPs are local-level Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) initiatives used by N...0 CommentsComment on Facebook