HDD locator performs high-wire act over the Yellowstone River

A creative approach to the locate

The project originated with Triangle Communications in Havre, Montana, as part of a broader regional fibre upgrade. While the scope appeared straightforward on paper, field conditions quickly proved otherwise.

“Spring runoff was the biggest challenge,” says Trevor Herman, president of Tru Directional Drilling. “The river was roaring and locating across it was tough.”

The crew needed to complete two crossings, each spanning hundreds of feet beneath the river. With more than 500 feet separating entry and exit points, traditional walkover locating was not an option.

Tracking from a boat was considered but quickly dismissed due to the strength of the current. Holding position long enough to gather accurate data simply wasn’t feasible.

Instead, the team devised a different solution.

Using a pulley system anchored to a nearby bridge, they suspended a Subsite Marksman+ HDD locator roughly 60 feet above the river. From this elevated position, the locator maintained a clear signal path to the drill head moving beneath the riverbed.

Operators controlled the locator from both banks, moving it across the span to monitor pitch, signal strength, and drill head location throughout the bore.

Setting the system wasn’t easy. Wind, spray, and strong currents made it difficult to secure the cable across the river, requiring multiple attempts before it was properly tensioned. Once in place, however, the setup provided the consistent locating data needed to guide the operation safely.

“Crossing more than 600 feet under a river requires a high level of confidence in both the equipment and the crew,” says Brett Romer, Subsite regional sales manager. “Having the right locating technology in place makes it possible to maintain control and visibility throughout the shot.”