This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale has an incredible discussion with Jennifer Patrick, Project Manager of The Milk River Board of Control for Project. This 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.
The project is a testament to the intricate canals, siphons, and diversions designed for a seamless flow of water. When you click here to listen you will learn that 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 Reservations, 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. All that came to a catastrophic stop at 3:00 PM on June 17th, 2024, when the St. Mary Siphon failed blowing a massive 50-foot-deep hole in the earth and everyone along the cherished Hi-Line across the northern top of the State held their breath as they saw the water stop flowing.
When you listen to this podcast you will hear the story of an amazing group of incredible Montanans that rolled up their sleeves and went to work. They have stayed on it night and day rain or shine and in freezing cold with a can do spirt that will warm your heart! Click here to listen and find out when the water flow through the Milk River Project again? Will Montana’s second longest river, the Milk, go dry?
Will our farmers ever see consistent water for irrigation again? Will Fresno and Nelson Reservoirs have a future that farmers and anglers can depend on? If you ask Jennifer, the amazing work crews, the Corporate, State, Federal and Tribal Partners, you will likely hear them all say with a resounding and confident tone, “WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP UNTIL IT IS DONE”! Learn about their progress and timelines for completion now by clicking here to listen!
Links:
- Click here to watch a documentary film about the project.
- To learn more about the Milk River Project and it’s Partners click here.
- Click here to see amazing pictures of the disaster and the ongoing progress on Milk River Facebook Page.
- To learn about the partners working on this amazing project click here.
- Click here to ask Jennifer Patrick any questions you have.
- Click here to let Downrigger Dale know what you thought of this podcast.
