MAJOR CONSTRUCTION WORK COMPLETED ON HISTORIC MONTANA SIPHON

January 23, 2009

For More Information:
Bret Bledsoe, 406-859-3291
Ivy Allen, 406-587-6971

Bozeman--Officials of the Montana Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) report major reconstruction is completed on a water siphon project that, when activated in the spring, will result in major improvements in water delivery to the Philipsburg Area.

“The siphon is the lifeblood of the Flint Creek Valley,” says Bret Bledsoe, NRCS District Conservationist in Philipsburg. “The siphon provides water for livestock, pastures, irrigation systems, fish, wildlife, and recreation.” The project was a partnership effort involving NRCS, U.S. Forest Service, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks.

In 1938, the East Fork of Rock Creek was dammed, and a transfer pipeline was constructed to move impounded water to the Flint Creek drainage. Flint Creek was historically a seasonal water source that dried up during the latter part of August. Long-time residents tell stories of blasting holes using dynamite in the streambed of Flint Creek to get enough water for livestock. Water from the pipeline was first used during the 1939 growing season.

Without water from the East Fork Reservoir, irrigation would be limited or impossible. This project replaces the East Fork transfer pipeline. Work began in 2003 with contracts from NRCS to provide financial assistance to 45 water users. The date for the construction was not established until August of last year.

Flint Creek water users approved an early shutdown of the old pipeline, allowing actual work to get underway before winter. A stream crossing needed to be installed to allow the heavy equipment to move across Rock Creek before the bull trout spawning season began the first of September. Topsoil was removed to expose the original 70-year-old pipeline, then that pipe had to be removed and compressed for recycling. A gravel crusher was used to create a stable bed for the new replacement pipe. That work is now accomplished and final touches will be completed this spring.

The total cost of the project is $1.3 million. NRCS contributed $750,000 through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and an additional $155,000 for Technical Service Providers. Additional funding was provided by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and by Flint Creek water users.

Advisory Television Media: Video of the project is available in a mini-DVC tape format or on a data DVD format. The footage can be previewed at mms://www2.ngdc.wvu.edu/~hferguson/mt/PBurgSiphon.wmv. To request a copy, e-mail NRCS at MT-nrcs-publications@one.usda.gov.

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