The water of this river possesses a peculiar whiteness,being about the colour of a cup of tea with the

admixture of a tablespoon of milk. From the colour of itswater, we called it the Milk River.

Meriweather Lewis and William Clark, May 8, 1805

http://www.airphotona.com/image.asp?imageid=4020

• 50 to 80% of flow comes fromsnowmelt

• Main tributaries rise from theSweet Grass Hills, Cypress Hills

Traditional Lands for First NationsKainaai (Blood )Siksika (Blackfeet)Piikani (Peigan)

Stoney, Cree, Saulteaux and Shoshone

Government of Alberta

Glenbow Archives

In 1903, Montana began construction to transfer St. Mary Riverwater to the Milk River.

The Government of Canada constructed a canal that coulddivert an amount equal to the St. Mary River Diversion.

Glenbow Archives

S. Riemersma

• Canada receives 75% of St.Mary River flow up to 666 cfsduring the irrigation season

• The United States receives75% of Milk River flow duringthe irrigation season

• Flows outside irrigationseason and above 666 cfs areshared equally

Unique Water History

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S. Rood

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Water Supply

October 2001Photo: T. Clayton

Photos: R. Harrison

Erosion rate ranged from 0.18 to 2.50 m peryear, most common near 0.8 to 1 m per year.

AMEC Earth and Environmental.

• Bank stabilization photo of tombstones

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Glenbow Archives