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 clickĀ 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 Montanaās 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
Ā Acres of irrigated lands
700+
Farms
729
River miles of wildlife habitat and recreation
Milk River Project Partners
Majestic Monday! š¦¬
Just beyond the project site, the Blackfeet Nation cares for these magnificent animals ā a daily reminder of the strength, heritage, and natural beauty that surround this work. No matter how many times we see them, or take in the incredible scenery around us, their presence never fails to impress.
#milkriverproject #MAJESTIC #blackfeetnation
šø:Colynn Kerr ... See MoreSee Less
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š Nothing spooky about the Hallās Coulee Siphon project this Halloween ā just scary-good progress!š»
As we close out October, the team will hit a major milestone ā 50% completion on the pipe installation, with Pro-Pipe Corporation moving faster than a witch on a broomstick. š§¹ The outlet structure is about 85% complete, and Sletten Construction is forming up the inlet structure, which you can see is already taking shape. All we need are a few calm, windless days for Harris Rebar to swing and tie everything in place before this project really takes off. šØ
Meanwhile, the NW Construction crew is on the move, backfilling pipe and prepping for the next phase. With this much progress, the only thing haunting the site is how fast itās all coming together!
šøļøšøļøšøļø Happy Halloween All! ššš
#milkriverproject #hallscouleesiphon ... See MoreSee Less
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A little Diversion Dam check-in as we wrap up October ā hard to believe weāre already heading into November! š
NW Construction and their subcontractors continue to make steady progress on the Diversion Dam structures. Despite the ongoing government shutdown and a bit of uncertainty in the air, work is still moving full steam ahead. Crews are pouring concrete, installing rebar, and staying on schedule toward completion.
Things could always change tomorrow, but for now, weāre proud to say construction is still going strong at the St. Mary Diversion Dam site.
šŖš§ #milkriverproject #StMaryProject #NWConstruction #stmarydiversion ... See MoreSee Less
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It was a rough one on all of our job site yesterday in the Babb areaā the crews kept pushing forward, but the wind had other plans! šØ The gusts were so strong that the crane booms couldnāt go up, pump trucks and a few things even got rearranged by Mother Nature herself. Montana winds always like to remind us of whoās boss out here! š¬ļøšŖ
#constructionlife #windyday #milkriverproject ... See MoreSee Less
7 CommentsComment on Facebook
As NW Construction wraps up the Fresno Safety of Dams project at Fresno Reservoir, things are looking great out at the facility. The final punch list is nearly complete, erosion control measures are being installed, seeding and hydroseeding are finished, and fresh road striping has been added. With most of the equipment now off-site and winter settling in, the site is quieting down. A huge thank-you to NW Construction and Bureau of Reclamation for delivering this critical project ahead of schedule ā a job very well done!
#fresnoreservoir #milkriverproject ... See MoreSee Less
18 CommentsComment on Facebook
Yesterday, the crew put in some serious work pouring the apron wall on the Hallās Coulee Outlet mā and while Mother Nature brought the wind and made for a tough day on site, the sky more than made up for it. Chief Mountain and the sky was putting on a show of its own, and I couldnāt resist sharing the view. No filters needed for this one!
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10 CommentsComment on Facebook