The DWR Bismarck office is now located at 1200 Memorial Highway, Bismarck (Bank of North Dakota Building). To make an appointment to meet with a team member, or if you have questions, please call (701) 328-2750.

The Department of Water Resources has released its draft Hazard Classification and Legacy Dam Designation policy for public comment.

Dam hazard classification definitions in North Dakota Administrative Code § 89-08-01-01 have been updated effective January 1, 2023. The Department has developed this policy to explain how these updates will be applied to both new and existing dams. The Department is seeking comments on this policy from dam owners, the engineering community, and members of the public. Comments should be submitted to (701) 328-4956 or via e-mail, and will be considered in developing the final version of this policy.

Comments will be accepted until close of business on April 18, 2023. For more information call (701) 328-4956 or e-mail.

Draft Hazard Classification & Legacy Dam Designation Policy

Stay up-to-date on Department of Water Resources Legislative bills of interest.

2023 Legislative Bill Tracker

For more information on the North Dakota Legislative Session go to the North Dakota Legislative Branch website. This may not be an all-inclusive list.

The Current is a quarterly Department of Water Resources newsletter that provides the latest agency-specific information concerning water development, regulatory and appropriation efforts, water education, policy changes, Water Commission meeting highlights, and much more. We hope you find the content interesting, useful, and insightful.

February - The Current

For the first time, the Water Development Plan is presented in a web-based Dashboard for North Dakota’s broad spectrum of water stakeholders. The goal of the new Dashboard is to provide a platform that can be updated as conditions change over time - including the most up-to-date information on the over $1.7B in identified water infrastructure needs, current and projected revenues, purpose funding recommendations, and more!

Check out the 2023-2025 Water Development Plan and Dashboard here.

DWR developed a new 5 Year Strategic Plan to guide the deployment of resources toward key objectives, goals, and tactics that will remain a focus through June 2027. The new plan is also intended to help create awareness among the public and stakeholders about agency priorities.

Executive Summary

5 Year Strategic Plan

Check out the new DWR ND Water Availability Potential For Economic Development map! The purpose of this map is to provide a starting point for future water users who are considering North Dakota to site large-scale industrial or agricultural processing facilities.

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is now using North Dakota’s WebGrants online application system for Cost-Share Program applications. The funding opportunity within WebGrants is called FIND. Under FIND, applicants can also be considered for funding/loan opportunities through the Bank of North Dakota (BND), Public Finance Authority (PFA), and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

To learn more about applying through WebGrants and FIND, check out this tutorial video developed by DWR, BND, PFA, and DEQ.

Cost-Share Program

April 13, 2023 / 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CT)
(Completed Applications Due February 27, 2023)
Bank of North Dakota, 1200 Memorial Highway, Lewis and Clark Room 238, Bismarck, ND

June 8, 2023 / 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CT)
(Completed Applications Due April 24, 2023)
Pioneer Room, 1st Floor, Judicial Wing, State Capitol

August 10, 2023 / 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CT)
(Completed Applications Due June 26, 2023)
Pioneer Room, 1st Floor, Judicial Wing, State Capitol

October 12, 2023 / 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CT)
(Completed Applications Due August 28, 2023)
Pioneer Room, 1st Floor, Judicial Wing, State Capitol

December 8, 2023 / 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (CT)
(Completed Applications Due October 24, 2023)
Pioneer Room, 1st Floor, Judicial Wing, State Capitol

Reminder – Only complete applications received at least 45 days before a Water Commission meeting will be considered at that meeting. All other applications will be held for consideration at a future meeting unless specifically exempted by the Director.

For information, please contact Shana Brost at (701) 328-4940 or by e-mail.

All meetings will be held via phone, and begin at 1:00 p.m. CT.
Call-in information will be provided when agendas are posted.

May 11, 2023

July 13, 2023

September 14, 2023

November 9, 2023

For information, please contact Shana Brost at (701) 328-4940 or by e-mail.

Year In Review