Two century-old steel pipes on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in northern Montana have ruptured, prompting concerns about water availability for 14,000 residents, including those in Havre. The pipes, dating back to between 1912 and 1926, are part of a critical siphon system that transports St. Mary River water to irrigate cropland in the region.
The first 7.5-foot (2.3-meter) pipe burst on Monday morning, causing significant flooding and erosion near Glacier National Park. Subsequently, the concrete footings supporting a second pipe failed, exacerbating the situation. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation took swift action by closing the headgates that divert water into a 9-mile (14-kilometer) canal, although it could take up to 36 hours for the canal to fully drain through the damaged pipes.
Ryan Newman, the bureau’s Montana area manager, reported that water flow, initially at 600 cubic feet per second, had reduced to a trickle by Tuesday afternoon. This incident occurred just ahead of a scheduled $100 million replacement project for the headgates, which was aimed at enhancing infrastructure reliability during the peak irrigation season.
The failure has immediate economic repercussions, potentially impacting farmers across 120,000 acres (about 46,000 hectares) from Havre to Glasgow. Reduced water supply threatens crop production and could disrupt local businesses and communities reliant on irrigation.
The damage caused by the flooding extends beyond agricultural concerns, affecting infrastructure such as access roads, motels, and utility services in Babb, Montana. Crews are mobilizing to assess the full extent of the damage and begin restoration efforts. Meanwhile, design work for replacing the aging pipes is already well underway, with completion expected soon.
The Milk River Project officials described the breach as a “catastrophic failure,” underscoring the urgency of repairs to prevent further economic and environmental consequences in north-central Montana.