Projects

The Milk River Watershed Council Canada strives to provide accurate information to the public and its members regarding water and land resources in the watershed. 

The MRWCC recently completed the Milk River State of the Watershed Report, a comprehensive document that integrates many aspects within the watershed to determine its status in terms of environment and social and economic well-being.  Other studies recently undertaken revolve around water quality, water quantity and erosion processes.

The Study of Erosion and Sedimentation on the Milk River, undertaken to understand erosion processes and potential impacts in the watershed.  The objective of the Groundwater Study was to monitor groundwater quality throughout the Milk River watershed to help identify trends and attributes of groundwater quality throughout the watershed (Aquifer Vulnerability map, 320 KB JPG; Water Wells, Springs and Bedrock Geology map, 356 KB JPG).  A Water Quality Monitoring Program was initiated in 2006 to form the baseline for long-term water quality monitoring in the Milk River(Water Monitoring Sites, 275 KB JPG).  The Private Irrigators Pilot Project was undertaken to accurately account for the water used in the Canadian portion of the Milk River (Flow Stations, 354 KB JPG).

The Integrated Watershed Management Plan is being developed to provide recommendations on resource management.  The purpose of the Montana Alberta Water Management Initiative is to explore and evaluate options for improving both Montana’s and Alberta’s access to the shared water of the St. Mary and Milk Rivers.  To better understand the common groundwater resource, the MRWCC is teaming up with the Geological Survey of Canada in the Milk River Transboundary Aquifer Project (MiRTAP).  The Milk River Supplemental Water Supply Investigation is investigating possible supplementary water supply routes from the northerly Ridge Reservoir to the Milk River.  A study of macroinvertebrates is seeking to understand long-term changes in macroinvertebrate communities in the Milk River.