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 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 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
Disasters can strike at any time. If you suffered losses of eligible harvested commodities while stored in on-farm structures in 2023 and/or 2024 due to a qualifying natural disaster event, you may be eligible for the On-Farm Stored Commodity Loss Program (OFSCLP). The deadline is Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. Make sure to contact your local office before the deadline. ... See MoreSee Less
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One group we haven’t talked about yet—but is absolutely essential to keeping this project moving—are our equipment service crews. While our onsite mechanics keep day-to-day operations running smoothly, sometimes a machine needs a little extra TLC. That’s where our amazing field techs come in.
We’ve had great support on-site from RDO, T&E, and Western States, helping keep equipment running strong and downtime to a minimum.
This incredible sunset photo was sent to us by Cooper with RDO, and we had to share it. Proof that even service calls come with some pretty great views (and alot of wind). 🌅👏
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Not to be overshadowed by its big brother, the inlet structure, the Hall’s Coulee outlet structure has made major progress this past week! 🚧👏 Vents are now installed, the pipes are in their final position and ready for encasement, and both backfilling and CLSM placement are well underway.
You may notice in some of the photos that the canal doesn’t quite line up yet—no need to worry. Last year a temporary reroute was built to allow construction to move forward while keeping water flowing around the site. Crews will be shifting the canal back into alignment with the structure very soon as this phase wraps up.
We’ve also kept the old canal in place as a backup in case we needed to temporarily operate the existing structure. As backfilling continues and progress on the inlet structure moves forward, our confidence is growing that we won’t need to rely on the old system—but we’re not calling it 100% just yet. Mother Nature always has a say in these projects, so we’re staying prepared and ready either way. 💪🌦️
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Backfilling officially kicks off today at the Hall’s Coulee Inlet structure! 👷♂️💪 At nearly 40 feet tall, this is no small task—but NW Construction is ready to tackle it, placing lifts and testing compaction as they work their way up.
Once backfilling is complete, Sletten will move in to start forming and building the water approach aprons for the structure. So on this Monday morning, we’re sharing one last look at the inlet structure fully exposed before the next phase begins. Stay tuned! ... See MoreSee Less
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Happy Hump Day 🐪 To help you survive the rest of the week, here are a few Hall’s Coulee photos to hold you over..
The crews have been fighting wind, weather, and whatever else Montana throws at them, and still making solid progress. Pro-Pipe Corporation has reached the outlet structure, which means Sletten Construction Company can start forming the final tie-in (big milestone).
The work will now shift to the inlet side, where Sletten is pulling forms getting ready for NW Construction to continue their backfilling efforts in the warmer temps (credit goes to the wind here…somehow). In the pictures you will see CLSM still being installed and everything is looking really good. Great progress!!!
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We’ve had a few questions about the progress of the St. Mary Diversion Dam, so here’s a quick update 👷♂️💧
This is a multi-year project, and the site is currently in winter shutdown. Work is expected to resume sometime in March, weather permitting. But don’t worry — the bypass channel is installed and will be fully operational when needed, allowing water to be routed around the structure so diversions can occur this spring.
These photos show where the contractor, NW Construction wrapped up for the winter, with some really solid progress made before conditions shut things down. Stay tuned, we’ll keep the updates coming once work starts back up again!
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