According to a post on social media from Cardston County, diversions to the St. Mary was shut off yesterday due to the failure of the St. Mary Siphon in Montana. The post came from the Reservoir and River Operations Office of the Bureau of Reclamation in Montana.
“As a result of the failure, a surge of high water and sediment is likely coming downstream our way. Banks can be dangerous and care should be taken, especially in low-lying areas,” it was stated in the post.
The canal was shut off and being assessed. “There is no official word on repair schedules at this time, but we will see a higher flow on the St. Mary River in Alberta immediately.”
According to the Milk River Water Shed, crews were inspecting a crack at the time of the failure and thankfully no one was hurt. “Significant flash flooding of debris and water is flowing down into the St. Mary River along the Canadian Reach through to the St. Mary’s Reservoir.”
“Please be careful in low-lying areas and along unstable banks. The canal diversion gates were closed at the time of the failure for the inspection,” adds the Milk River Water Shed.
What does this mean for the Milk River? “We can expect flows to drop starting on the North Fork Milk River within about 24 hours and within approximately 48 hours near and east of the Town of Milk River.”
“This will likely drop with depletion of the bank aquifers. All Recreational activity is not recommended immediately, as flows will drop very suddenly,” says the Milk River Water Shed.