Milk River Watershed news

6 Pages·1998·1.8 MB·English

by  Montana.Water Resources Division

WINTER 2008
M R
ILK RIVE
WATERSHED NEWS
Construction Begins on New equipment and materials across
the river, improve local access, and
Bridge Across the St. Mary River by funding the project with federal
transportation dollars the Senator
has removed an additional financial
Paul Azevedo - St. Mary Rehabilitation catastrophic collapse of the twin burden from water uses in the Milk
State Project Coordinator siphon barrels taking the whole St. River Basin.
Mary system off line for an indefinite
On July 18, Senator Max Baucus, period of time. The replacement
Lt. Governor John Bohlinger, bridge will completely separate
dignitaries from the Blackfeet vehicle traffic on the county road
Tribal Business Council, and from the siphons. The new roadbed
representatives of the St. Mary will be supported by 120 ft. long pre-
Rehabilitation Working Group stressed concrete beams anchored
participated in a at each end and
ground breaking supported by a
ceremony for a new single 6 ft. diameter
bridge across the St. pier placed in the Montana Senator Max Baucus led off the
Mary River on the center of the river. St. Mary Bridge dedication ceremony on the
Blackfeet Reservation. Standing behind Senator
Blackfeet Reservation.
Baucus are Lt Governor John Bohlinger (right)
The current bridge Federal funding
and MDOT Director Jim Lynch (left) who also
was built in 1915 for the new bridge participated in the event.
by the Minneapolis was requested by
Bridge Company to the Lt. Governor’s Overall design and building of the
carry the twin barrels Office and the St. bridge is being overseen by the MT
of the St. Mary Siphon Construction of temporary work bridge at Mary Rehabilitation Dept of Transportation. Great West
and a county road site of new St. Mary River bridge. Working Group in Engineering of Helena is the design
across the St. Mary 2004. Senator Max engineer with TD&H of Great Falls
River. In addition to not meeting Baucus secured funding through the subcontracted for the surveying
current height, width, and load 2005 Federal Transportation Bill. and geotechnical work. Sletten
standards, the most recent National Glacier County matched the federal Construction of Great Falls is
Bridge Inventory Rating survey funds through a State grant provided responsible for construction work.
found the bridge was structurally by the Treasure State Endowment
deficient and unable to safely meet Program. Total construction cost
IN
the demands placed on it today. is estimated to be approximately
h
SIDE
$2 million of which eighty-seven
From a planning and engineering percent will be covered by federal
perspective, the current bridge has transportation dollars.
long been a point of concern in the The St. Mary Rehabilitation: Mission
overall St. Mary rehabilitation effort. By securing federal funding for Possible ...................................Page 2
In addition to being inadequate the bridge early in the process,
to handle all the construction Senator Baucus has done a huge Update on the MRWA ...............Page 3
equipment and materials needed to favor to all those who rely on water
rehabilitate the canal, the current deliveries through the St. Mary Water Right Compacts .............Page 3
bridge is the weak link in the overall Canal. The new bridge removes that
St. Mary’s system. Engineers have threat of a bridge collapse taking Milk River Water Supply ...........Page 4
been concerned that a structural the system down, it will provide a
failure would likely result in a secure transportation link to move
The St. Mary Rehabilitation:
Mission Possible
Larry Mires - St. Mary Rehabilitation Last year The SMRWG achieved The State of Montana has recently
Working Group Executive Director another major success. Thanks to entered into talks with Alberta, and
Senator Max Baucus, Senator Jon has recently reached a settlement
T he Milk River Project is Tester and Congressman Denny with the Blackfeet Tribe on the Milk
approaching a century of Rehberg, the rehabilitation was and St. Mary River waters. These
service and it shows! On occasion, formally authorized in the Water are just two of many compelling
components of the Project have Resource Development Act of examples of what the future holds
seen facelifts of varying degree, and 2007 (WRDA). Section 5103 of the and why rehabilitating St. Mary’s is
halfhearted investigations on ways WRDA authorizes the Army Corps necessary if future needs are to be
to improve the project facilities have of Engineers (COE), in consultation met. The fruit of these reconciliations
been explored. In the last five years, with Reclamation, $153 million to will undoubtedly influence the
we have seen anything but dabbling rehabilitate the St. Mary Division of rehabilitation’s character.
as intensive efforts to rehabilitate the Milk River Project.
St. Mary’s has taken hold with teeth Meeting the needs of the future
that won’t let go. The first shovel of dirt was formally means building flexibility into the
turned on July 18, 2008 at a Project. The challenges faced today
Yes, it has already been five years groundbreaking ceremony held in could not have been imagined by the
since the St. Mary Rehabilitation dedication of the new bridge going original designers; we have milked
Working Group (SMRWG) formed! across the St. Mary River. This (pun intended) it for all its worth.
Together, we have shared and bridge is a major precondition for The 19th Century technology greatly
suffered through growing pains, any significant construction to take limits our ability to address current
frustrations, setbacks and hard place. Again, thanks goes out to U.S. and future challenges. We must keep
work, but not without successes, Senator Baucus for securing the in mind as we move forward, that
which has made for a rewarding and federal dollars that will cover the nothing is static.
worthwhile ride. New relationships lion’s share of the cost to build a new
have been built through frank and bridge (See Bridge Article). The SMRWG will continue to make
open discussions, paving the way great strides. What was said by
for new understandings. The result: Where do we go from here? some to be “impossible” is slowly
New ideas regarding rivers that we We, meaning the SMRWG and its but surely becoming a reality. These
all share in common are being forged. supporters, have a lot of unfinished successes would indeed be impossible
We are building substantial bridges, business; our successes are without the incredible support of
figuratively and literally. Given the something to build on, not dwell all the communities throughout the
diversity of the 16-member SMRWG, on. As stated, the authorization basin. Special thanks goes out to
the accomplishments are laudable, so of the rehabilitation was a major the Offices of the Governor and Lt.
let’s revisit some of those successes. success, but it is a long way Governor, the Montana Legislature,
from actualization. Congress has our U. S. congressional delegation,
The 2005 Montana Legislature authorized $153 million, but has and stakeholders that have stepped
handed the SMRWG its first of several not appropriated it. Perseverance up to help the SMRWG solve this
major successes by appropriating and broad support have been the daunting dilemma.
$10 million in bonding authority to formula for our successes; therefore,
be used as a match against federal I have no doubt that securing We will succeed because we believe
dollars specifically for construction. appropriations will be added to the in our future. Never underestimate
This landmark move by the State of growing list of achievements. or doubt the tenacity of a Hi-Liner!
Montana set precedence in dealing
with aging and failing federal water Emerging ideas aimed at For a meeting agenda and additional
projects, which has been a hot topic guaranteeing a self-sustainable and information, visit the Working Group
at water conferences across the agile Milk River Project are being website at www.dnrc.state.mt.us/
stmarycover.htm or contact
West. SMRWG names and faces are developed. The SMRWG is working
Larry Mires – Executive Director,
known throughout the west and in closely with the Milk River Joint
St. Mary Rehabilitation Working Group
Washington DC, thanks in part to Board of Control, state legislators,
at Two Rivers Economic Growth, Inc.,
our affiliations with the Family Farm towns, reservations and county 74 4th St. N., Glasgow, MT 59230,
Alliance and the National Water governments potentially establishing [phone] (cell)
Resources Association. The SMRWG a basin entity that ensures self- email [email protected] or
has been a significant player in putting reliance and a prosperous future Paul Azevedo – State Coordinator at the
the issue of aging infrastructure on the for the Milk River Project and its DNRC Office in Helena, [phone]
national radar screen. beneficiaries.
2
Update on the MRWA
(Milk River Watershed Allliance)
Christine Muller - MRWA Coordinator
THE MRWA HAS A WEBSITE!!!! The MRWA ran a Milk River or February of 2009. This is in the
Watershed Alliance logo contest and beginning planning stage and more
You can find we are happy information will be
information about the to report that provided on our website
MRWA, subcommittees, the winner is as we move forward
partners, projects, and Laura McCann putting together this
upcoming events at from Harlem, event.
Milkriverwatershedalliance. Montana. Laura
com. This website is still has an amazing If you have any
under construction so artistic talent questions, please contact
check often for updated and we are very the MRWA Coordinator,
information. Contact pleased with her Christine Muller at 406-
information is available for efforts and the 372-3131 – jacamuller@
members of the MRWA and finished product. mtintouch.net or visit us
we encourage you to email us with at our new website:
any questions or issues you have The MRWA is planning its first milkriverwatershedalliance.com
along the Milk River. annual general meeting in January
Water Rights Compacts
CALENDAR EVENTS
MRWA annual meeting to be
The State is continuing to work Conservation Plan (CCP) process, announced in late January or
closely with both the Blackfeet which is intended to lay out the early February. Check MRWA
and Ft. Belknap Tribes and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s website at:
Montana’s congressional delegation management vision for the milkriverwatershedalliance.com
to ready legislation for introduction Refuge for the next decade. At the
in Congress to ratify both the conclusion of the CCP process, the
LINKS
Blackfeet and the Ft. Belknap water RWRCC hopes to be able to conclude
rights settlements. The current the Memorandum of Understanding USGS Water Watch Montana
hope is to have one or both of these with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
real-time streamflow:
settlement bills introduced this year Service (USFWS) that is an essential
http://water.usgs.gov/
if Congress holds a post-election prerequisite for the USFWS to
waterwatch/?m=real&r=mt
lame duck session. Otherwise, the exercise the water rights for Bowdoin
goal will be to have the bills ready that were quantified in that Compact
DNRC Water Resources
to go at the federal level in early (which the Montana Legislature
Division: http://dnrc.mt.gov/wrd
2009. It will be a challenging task ratified in 2007).
to get from having a bill introduced
to having it enacted by Congress
and signed by the President, but
introduction is a critical first step Representatives on the Milk River JBC:
in that process. The Reserved
Water Rights Compact Commission Kay Blatter Chairman Fort Belknap Irr. Dist.
(RWRCC) also intends to seek Don Green Vice-Chairman Malta Irr. Dist. 
Wade Jones Secretary Malta Irr. Dist.
ratification of the Blackfeet Water
Lee Cornwell Member Glasgow Irr. Dist
Rights Compact by introducing it to
Wes Pankratz Member Glasgow Irr. Dist.
the 2009 Montana Legislature. (The
Ralph Snider Member Harlem Irr. Dist.
Ft. Belknap Compact was ratified by
Brad Tilleman Member Zurich Irr. Dist.
the Montana Legislature in 2001). Jeff Warburton Member Paradise Valley Irr. Dist.
Joe Brummer Member Alfalfa Valley Irr. Dist.
The RWRCC continues to closely Joe Nicholson Member Dodson Irr. Dist.
track the Bowdoin National Jennifer Brandon Project Manager
Wildlife Refuge’s Comprehensive
3
Milk River Water Supply
Chuck Heinje - Bureau of Reclamation
Storage as of December 1, 2008
October 1, 2008 Reservoir Storage (acre-feet) % Normal % Full

The water supply conditions in Lake Sherburne 43,800 322 66
the Milk River basin during Fresno 56,400 145 61
2008 were overall very good. The
Nelson (active) 61,100 105 77
total storage for the Milk River
Project finished the water year at
156 percent of average. Storage
for Lake Sherburne, Fresno and
Nelson Reservoirs are 421, 144 and
112 percent average, respectively.
The March through August inflows
for each reservoir were 110, 94 and
95 percent of average, respectively.
Canal diversions as well as
releases from Lake Sherburne
were reduced beginning the week
of September 8 and all diversions
were discontinued on September
13. The total water diverted
from the St. Mary basin to the
Milk River during 2008 was
approximately 178,600 acre-feet
(115 % of average).
Maintenance work on the outlet
works of Sherburne Dam has been
completed. Work on Drop 2 and
Drop 3 is in the final stages.
Lake Sherburne Snowpack
On October 1 releases from Fresno
were reduced and are being
maintained at the winter rate of
approximately 46 cfs.
Storage in the Milk River Basin
is currently sitting at 161.3 kaf,
146 percent of average, and 68
percent full as of December 1.
Storage for Lake Sherburne,
Fresno and Nelson Reservoirs are
322, 146 and 105 percent average,
respectively. The November
inflows for Lake Sherburne and
Fresno reservoir were 78, and 146
percent of average, respectively.
Jeremy Giovando has accepted a
new position with the Army Corps
of Engineers in Walla Walla, WA,
and reported to that position the
end of September.
Lake Sherburne Storage
4
Sherburne Reservoir in the winter
y
Fresno Reservoir Storage
h
Nelson Reservoir Storage
n
5
If you have ideas for
articles or news items,
please contact: This will be the last printed and mailed version of the Milk
Michael Dailey River Watershed News. It will now be an online/electronic
MT DNRC — Glasgow
publication.
Water Resources Regional Office
P. O. Box 1269
Glasgow, MT 59230-1269
To sign up and receive the electronic version of the newsletter
[phone], [email protected]
by email go to:
Rich Moy h
DNRC Water Management Bureau Chief
http://dnrc.mt.gov/st_mary/news/MilkRiverNewsSubscribe.asp
— Helena
P.O. Box 201601
Helena, MT 59620-1601 or view it online at the DNRC Water Resources website:
[phone], [email protected]
http://dnrc.mt.gov/wrd/forms_publications/newsletters.asp
Randy Reed
Co-Chair, St. Mary Rehabilitation
Working Group
Rt. 1 — Box 8B
Chinook, MT 59523
[phone], [email protected] Standing next to historic Vandalia
Dam, Lt. Governor Bohlinger
Kay Blatter listens to Steve Stebelton,
Chairman, Milk River Joint Board of Control Glasgow Irrigation District
765 Daffy Hills Lane Manager, describe the operational
Chinook, MT 59523 and structural problems with
[phone] Vandalia Dam. Vandalia Dam
and the Page Ranch were stops
Jennifer Brandon on a tour designed to emphasize
Milk River Project Joint Board of Control the economic importance of the
Project Manager Milk River Irrigation Project to the
[phone], [email protected] region. Approximately 30 people
attended the tour including local
Christine Muller business leaders, area farmers
Milk River Watershed Alliance Coordinator and ranchers, state and local
206 25th Avenue West, Suite 1 officials, and interested community
Havre, MT 59501 members.
[phone] ext. 121
[email protected] Photo Credit: Samar Faye, Editor,
Glasgow Courier.
Milk River Watershed News
is prepared and published by
DNRC—Water Management Bureau,
Helena MT (406-444-6637)
Persons with disabilities who need an alternative, accessible format of the document should
Editor: Rich Moy [phone]
contact DNRC at the address below, phone [phone] or fax [phone].
Layout: Martha Hodder
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106102 XOB .O.P
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