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
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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You may have noticed recent water releases from Lake Sherburne. These releases actually began on December 17 after reservoir levels reached about 56,032 acre-feet, which was higher than we were comfortable with heading into the winter storage period. For reference, the total capacity of Lake Sherburne is 68,080 acre-feet.
As we move into winter, the team made the proactive decision to lower the reservoir elevation to create additional storage capacity for spring runoff and to ensure the facility remains safe given the higher-than-normal inflows we were seeing. We have now reduced storage to a much more comfortable level of approximately 44,000 acre-feet. As a result, releases have tapered down and are scheduled to stop on Monday.
This is not a typical operation, but with the early irrigation shutoff and the St. Mary Canal currently offline, our goal is to preserve as much storage as possible while maintaining safe operating conditions. This approach also positions us well for early spring startup with the new St. Mary and Hall’s Coulee siphon structures coming online.
And if you’re curious what conditions look like right now—check out the weather up at Sherburne near Babb. ❄️
#milkriverproject #sherburne
🎥:Thomas Gervias ... See MoreSee Less
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Someone — no names need to be mentioned — may have been in Nashville cheering on the Bobcats at the National Championship 🐾🏆 and "forgot" to keep you posted on the amazing progress, but rest assured the crews were back on site after the holiday break and are getting after it.
With the weather cooperating, backfilling, structure work, and pipe installation are all moving right along. We’ve shifted back to the outlet to start tying into the Hall’s Coulee Outlet structure. Solid progress to kick off the year!
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Give them a like or follow — they will be sharing some great info on your favorite fishing holes on the Milk River and beyond, all in one place starting January 1st! 🎣 ... See MoreSee Less
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🎄 Christmas may be over, but your tree can still do some good! 🎄
If you have a real Christmas tree, the Fresno Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited Montana and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks can put it to use for a perch spawning habitat project in Fresno Reservoir.
🌲 Tree drop-off options:
• Leave trees at the Big Sandy dump site — Bob Nelson will pick them up.
• Or drop them in the dumpster at 6th Avenue Memorial Park in Havre.
Thanks for helping support local fisheries and habitat projects.
🎣 Happy New Year — and don’t forget to get out and do some fishing!
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