The Washington times., 1904-02-03
MONTANA STREAMS
FOR MONTANA USES
Three Rivers to Be Cut Off
From Canada.
RECLAMATION SERVICE ACTS
Work Of Diversion to Be Done Without
Consulting Our Neighbors
Across the Border.

Without so much as asking leave. the
reclamation service of the United States
Government Is going to divert from their
courses three rivers that now flow from
Montana into Canada. and turn their
waters upon the arid plains Of eastern
Montana. The 'Canucks" who are now
dependent on the streams for irrigation
and other purposes will be left to parch
and withcr or to move. as they choose
No doubt some lll-feeling will be stir
red In the bOsoms OF the Canadians by
this rather abrupt action Of the Ameri-
Gang
Confer With Survey Officials.
A conference has just been held In
the office OF Director walcott, OF the
United states, Geological Survey, Of the
greatest moment TO the future Of Mon
tana. and It was here the plans for d.
verting the rivers were considered.
Those at the conference included Sena-
tor Paris Gibson. ex-senator Garter
Representative Dixon, Major McGinnis.
and Thomas NARROW. of Montana. and
James j. Hi. president OF the Great
Northern Road. They discussed plans
for the reclamation work and Engineer
c. c. Babb. who has been in charge OF
the work. explained the projects he had
ed on every hand md Mr.. Hill express
ed himself as earnestly In sympathy
with the plans.
The unanimous feeling was against
asking the Canadian government to al
low the stored waters from the ST
Mary Lakes to flow through Canada
and afterward to be diverted on lands
in the United States. These waters are
now wasted in Canada. but through
what is known as the ST. Mary project
they will all be forced TO flow to the
Montana side.
The headworks OF the St Mary
project will be located in the northern
part Of Montana. IN a mountainous re-
gion, where the melting SHOWS nour
their waters into ST. Mary Lakes.
from which river of the same name
flows north 70 Hudson Bay. Just east
Of the st. Mary Basin is a region of
low rolling country. I'm which rise the
North and South branches of Milk
River, which flow northward and unite
after crossing the Canadian border
The stream thus formed flows east on
the Canada side for $50 miles, then
crosses the line. and finally empties
into the Missouri River on the United
States side!
Engineer Babb's Plans.
The plan of Engineer Babb is to
store the flood waters IN St. Mary
Lakes and conduct them easterly by a
! canal connecting the mountain CATCH
ments or basins with both forks OF Mix
River. 1t was at first proposed to per-
NIT the stored waters to flow down the
Milk River through Canada, and then
divert them at some point on this
stream after IL comes back 10 Montana
The Canadians, however, are awake
to the possibilities OF irrigation. and
have begun work on n large system on
Milk River to divert its waters for lrri-
CATION In the 81. Mary Basin. near Leth-
ridge. II is thought the result Of this
will be that the Canadians VIII use all
the water they can divert. and hence
none OF that which collects on this side
of the border will be allowed under the
plan to go to them 1t will be kept at
home instead In all, about 80 miles
OF canal will be built, and IL Will take
several years 10 complete IT.