The St. Mary Diversion dam is set to be replaced. Steve Darlinton the project manager for the dam replacement explains more.
“St. Mary Diversion Dam, $100 million was set aside in the bipartisan infrastructure law directed to facilities that failed in the last two years in a way that prevented delivery of water for irrigation. As written St. Mary Canal is the only project that fits. So, we’re using that 100 million to replace the St. Mary Diversion Dam. So, by replacing the St. Mary Diversion Damn, right now it is not in compliance with the Endangered Species Act for bull trout, in addition it’s over 100 years old and is falling apart. So, the replacement will add in fish screen facilities so the fish don’t get drained into the canal, and then it will also allow passage upstream and downstream of the dam for bull trout as well, while also rehabbing the dam so we have a reliable source of water for the Milk River project.” -Steve Darlinton
