NEWELL - The six-mile canal carrying water from Belle Fourche River to Orman Dam was dry for the first time in 100 years this fall.

The water was shut off in September so work could start on the first phase of a canal-lining project.

The project is expected to cost between $1.5 million and $2 million.

An estimated 450 gallons per minute - about one cubic foot per second - of water was being lost through seepage along the canal.

The initial phase of the lining project was completed ahead of time, and water began flowing into the canal Friday, Oct. 12.