1 week Ago By Lee Newspapers
Many Hi-Line farmers who rely on Fresno Reservoir for irrigation water could be left high and dry for most of this season, the Bureau of Reclamation reported Thursday. The water level in Fresno is currently below average — 12 feet below the top of the conservation pool — a result of the St. Mary Canal siphons’ failure on June 17, 2024.
Not all water stored in Fresno Reservoir, located about 14 miles west of Havre, is designated for irrigation; a portion is reserved for municipal use. Nelson Reservoir, located 60 miles downstream and 19 northeast of Malta, is experiencing above-average storage for this time of year, the Bureau reported. Both reservoirs are fed by the Milk River.
The Milk River Joint Board of Control, responsible for overseeing irrigation operations across eight districts within the Milk River Project, is scheduled to meet May 13 to finalize timing for releasing water from Fresno Reservoir for irrigation purposes. A tentative start date has been targeted for May 20. Milk River Project water users located upstream of Nelson Reservoir will not receive irrigation until releases from Fresno Reservoir are increased.
However, to optimize the available water supply, Harlem Irrigation District and the Malta Irrigation District may begin operations sooner to serve crops that can use the water now. All other districts and pumpers in this stretch are to remain off until Fresno releases begin. The Fort Belknap Indian Irrigation Project, which holds the senior water right in the lower Milk River Basin, will begin diverting water when its users are prepared.
Nelson Reservoir is approaching its full conservation pool. Irrigation from Nelson Reservoir is projected to commence April 27, benefiting the Malta Irrigation District. Meanwhile, Glasgow Irrigation District began its irrigation activities last week to capture available water before it exits the Milk River system.
The St. Mary Canal is projected to be operational by early July. Once it is functional water will be transferred from the St.
Mary River Basin into the Milk River Basin to support irrigation efforts and help recover storage levels in Fresno Reservoir. Get any of our free daily email newsletters — news headlines, opinion, e-edition, obituaries and more..
