Inflatable Dams Proposed for Glacier National Park
A study recommended new dams in Glacier National Park to improve water storage for farmers in the U.S. and Canada.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in National Parks
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The International St. Mary and Milk Rivers Study Board published a report in summer 2026 proposing the installation of two inflatable dams in Glacier National Park. The plan aims to increase water storage capacity by 5.4 billion gallons to address ongoing infrastructure limitations for farmers across the border.
Why it matters
The proposal seeks to enhance basin-wide operational flexibility and drought resilience as climate change threatens long-term water availability. However, the plan faces significant opposition from the Blackfeet Nation and conservationists concerned about the impact on local ecosystems and cultural sites.
The proposed project involves anchoring rubber inflatable dams to concrete foundations to hold water up to naturally occurring high water marks. St. Mary Lake, which spans 10 miles, is the primary focus of the report.
The players
International St. Mary and Milk Rivers Study Board
This body is responsible for investigating water management and storage solutions across the U.S.-Canada border.
Blackfeet Nation
This federally recognized tribe maintains ancestral lands and cultural ties to areas within and surrounding Glacier National Park.
International Joint Commission
This binational organization manages water issues between the United States and Canada and will review the proposed recommendations.
The details
The report suggests installing one dam on St. Mary Lake and a second on Lower St. Mary Lake, the latter of which is situated on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Glacier National Park officials were notably excluded from the development of this water management plan.
Timeline
The International St. Mary and Milk Rivers Study Board published its findings in summer 2026.
Travel Outlook
This proposal reflects the long-standing international cooperation defined by the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty in managing shared water resources. The plan must now navigate complex binational oversight while balancing regional tourism and conservation needs.
Travelers visiting the region should monitor the International Joint Commission review process for potential impacts on site access. While no immediate construction is scheduled, the plan remains a point of contention that could influence future park facility and environmental policies.
The takeaway
The proposal highlights the intensifying conflict between industrial agricultural water needs and the preservation of protected wilderness areas. As climate change continues to impact water availability, international bodies must increasingly balance infrastructure development with conservation obligations.
Further reading
Learn more about the management of protected lands in the National Parks section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Francisco Gate.
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