The McClusky Canal is a major feature of the Garrison Diversion Unit Principal Supply Works. The canal conveys water from Lake Audubon to the west side of the Lonetree Wildlife Management Area, in central North Dakota. Construction began on May 10, 1970 for the 73.6 mile canal, which was constructed under eight separate contracts from 1969 to 1976.

The McClusky Canal is a series of pools controlled by radial gates. There is a two-foot gradient between pool structures. The bottom width of each pool is 25 feet, and water depth is 15 to 17 feet, with 2-to-1 side slopes. The canal was designed to carry 1,950 cfs of water for irrigation of 250,000 acres, as well as to provide water for municipal and rural water systems.

Under the original Garrison Diversion Unit plan, the McClusky Canal was to transport water to the Lonetree Reservoir. This reservoir was deauthorized by the Dakota Water Resources Act of 2000 and, instead, developed into a wildlife conservation area. The Lonetree Wildlife Management Area is operated by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

The Garrison Diversion Operations & Maintenance (O&M) staff provides routine maintenance to the canal, including monitoring and inspection, water operations, building and equipment maintenance, rock and gravel hauling, and spraying for noxious weeds. The O&M is provided under an OM&R contract with the Bureau of Reclamation.

Recreation is popular along the McClusky Canal. The Chain of Lakes recreation area, along with Hofer Lake and Lake Brekken-Holmes, provide great opportunities for camping, boating, fishing, and water sports.

The New Rockford Canal is a feature of the Garrison Diversion Unit Principal Supply Works. The canal begins on the east side of the Lonetree Wildlife Management Area, in central North Dakota and runs for 41.5 miles through Wells and Eddy counties.

Under the original Garrison Diversion Unit plan, the Lonetree Reservoir was to be a regulating reservoir connecting the McClusky Canal and the New Rockford Canal. This reservoir was deauthorized by the Dakota Water Resources Act of 2000 and, instead, developed into a wildlife conservation area. The Lonetree Wildlife Management Area is operated by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

The Garrison Diversion Operations & Maintenance (O&M) staff provides routine maintenance to the canal, including monitoring and inspection, building and equipment maintenance, rock and gravel hauling, and spraying for noxious weeds. The O&M is provided under an OM&R contract with the Bureau of Reclamation.

The Snake Creek Pumping Plant (SCPP), is an important feature of the Garrison Diversion Unit (GDU) Principal Supply Works. The SCPP was constructed between 1968 and 1976 as the primary facility for lifting Missouri River water from Lake Sakakawea to Lake Audubon to keep Lake Audubon at desired elevations for wildlife purposes.

From Lake Audubon, the water flows into the McClusky Canal, a structure designed to make water available to central and eastern North Dakota. The plant lifts water to maintain an elevation of 1,847 msl during the growing season, which permits gravity flow to the McClusky Canal and downstream. Each fall, the surface elevation of Lake Audubon is lowered approximately two feet to protect islands and other wildlife habitats from ice damage and erosion.

The plant contains three pumping units capable of delivering a total of 2,050 cubic feet per second (cfs). Pumping lift varies from 2 feet to 76 feet. The pumps have two separate bowls, one for lifts less than 35 feet and the other for lifts up to 76 feet. Each unit is powered by an 8,000 horsepower electric motor.

The original construction process of the SCPP took eight years with costs running the Bureau of Reclamation $19.2 million.

The facility is owned by Reclamation and operated by Garrison Diversion, through an OM&R contract with Reclamation.