Water Supply Updates
May 26th 2025
River Conditions update – Repairs continue the St Mary Siphon project that supports sustained flows through the summer months of the Milk River. The good news is that the replacement project remains ahead of schedule and is anticipated to start diversion for the season by July 1st unfortunately, on going replacement of the Halls Coulee Siphon in Montana and low snowpack conditions will result in a scheduled shut down by August 15th for the balance of the 2025 season.
Current natural flow conditions will continue around 1-2m3/s until diversion flows are resumed. At which time flows will increase rapidly to approximately 16m3/s and likely stay sustained until mid August. Conditions change rapidly and hazards will be present on the river. Know before you go and plan your trip accordingly to avoid danger and trespass. Watch flows on the Alberta Rivers App or www.rivers.ab.ca
Recreational use of the river is advised with flows greater than 12m3/s
To learn more about the complex water sharing between the St Marys and Milk River, as well as the unique aspects of our watershed check out the new 3rd Edition Milk River State of the Watershed Report at https://mrwcc.ca/resource/milk-river-transboundary-state-of-the-watershed-report-3rd-edition/
Did you know: Irrigation on the Milk River in Alberta is limited to 25% of the natural flow within the irrigation season?! This translates into approximately 7600 acres of irrigation; this small amount of water is critically important to the 40 Farm and Ranch families within the watershed that rely on this critical resource for offsetting the forage production deficit of extensive rangelands, and growing food for our community and beyond.
