Repairs to the broken pipes in the St. Mary Canal, part of the Milk River Project, are set to begin immediately thanks to an emergency authorization from the Bureau of Reclamation, announced by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester’s office. The canal diverts water from the St. Mary River to the Milk River, providing water for municipal drinking, industrial use, and irrigation for millions of people in Montana and Canada. Following the failure of aging siphons in June, political leaders and the Congressional delegation pushed for urgent action from the Biden Administration, resulting in funding for repairs being approved.
The funding package, estimated at $70 million, will cover the repairs of the breached St. Mary siphon and the replacement of the 100-year-old Halls Coulee siphon. The goal is to have water flowing back into the Milk River by the fall of 2025, benefiting Montana and potentially alleviating issues for Alberta, Canada. Cooperation and partnerships have been crucial in moving the project forward quickly, with the entire congressional delegation actively seeking funding and emergency authorizations. Bozeman company NW Construction has been awarded the contract for the canal and dam replacement project as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Despite the challenges posed by the dilapidated infrastructure, the quick response from politicians and decision-makers signals progress towards resolving the long-standing issue. With a plan in place and controlled chaos turning into organized action, it is hoped that both siphons will be fixed by 2025, ensuring a reliable water supply for the region.
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