For the latest and most up-to-date drought information impacting North Dakota please go to ND Response.

Livestock Water Supply Program Reactivated

**PLEASE NOTE**

All available funding has been allocated to projects. However, livestock producers are encouraged to still apply for cost-share, should additional funding be allocated by the Commission in the future.

Severe drought conditions impacting North Dakota cattle producers have led the State Water Commission to reactivate the Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Project Assistance Program.

Eligible livestock producers in drought proclamation counties may qualify for up to $3,500 in cost-share assistance, for up to three projects, on the following items:

New water wells,
New rural water system connections,
New pipeline extensions, pasture taps, and associated works,
Labor, materials, and equipment rentals for work completed by the producer to develop new water supply projects.

The following counties are eligible to receive cost-share assistance at this time: Adams, Billings, Bottineau, Bowman, Burke, Burleigh, Dickey, Divide, Dunn, Emmons, Golden Valley, Grant, Hettinger, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McHenry, McIntosh, McKenzie, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Mountrail, Oliver, Pierce, Ransom, Renville, Sargent, Sheridan, Sioux, Slope, Stark, Stutsman, Ward, Wells, and Williams.

Complete information on the Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Project Assistance Program can be found here.

Surface Water Management In The Little Missouri River Scenic River Basin

In March of 2017, while evaluating temporary water permits for points of diversion in the Little Missouri River basin, a question of consideration of N.D.C.C. §61-29-06 was raised. Upon consideration of the express prohibition of industrial diversions of water within the basin, all applications for water permits were placed on hold. Further enquiries indicated that provisions of the statute had never, from the time of passage of the law, reached or been applied in the permitting of water, which is governed under provisions of N.D.C.C. ch. 61-04, and Article 89-03 of North Dakota Administrative Code. Reasons for the disconnect are complex, speculative, and beyond the purpose of this report.

Upcoming Water Commission Meetings

August 23, 2017 - 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
North Dakota State Water Commission's Lower Level Conference Room

October 12, 2017 – 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
North Dakota State Water Commission's Lower Level Conference Room

December 8, 2017 – 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ramkota Hotel, Bismarck

For information, please contact the Water Commission at (701) 328-2750 or by e-mail.

The Current - April

The Current is a quarterly Water Commission and Office of the State Engineer newsletter that provides the latest agency-specific information concerning water development, regulatory and appropriation efforts, water education, policy changes, Commission meeting highlights, and much more.

We hope you find the content useful and helpful.

Sovereign Lands Brochure

This brochure addresses frequently asked questions about Sovereign Lands. North Dakota’s Sovereign Lands are those areas, including the beds and islands, lying within the ordinary high watermark of navigable lakes and streams. Sovereign Lands are publically-owned lands that are managed for the benefit of the citizens of the state.

Closed Basin & Lake Flooding

Closed Basin & Lake Flooding has been developed to address a unique issue to some North Dakotans. The publication is intended to educate the public about what closed basins are and flooding risks that can be associated with them. Topics that it covers include; the challenges to managing closed basin flooding, understanding risks, and ground/surface water exchange. It also contains information regarding NFIP and closed basin flooding.

You can download the brochure by clicking the image on the left, or paper copies can be requested by calling (701) 328-4989 or e-mail.

2017-2019 North Dakota Water Development Report

The State Water Commission has completed the 2017-2019 North Dakota Water Development Report, which serves as an update to the 2015 State Water Plan. You can download the report by clicking the image on the left, or paper copies can be requested by calling (701) 328-4989 or e-mail.

2017-2019 North Dakota State Water Commission and Office of the State Engineer Strategic Plan

The 2017-2019 North Dakota State Water Commission and Office of the State Engineer Strategic Plan has been completed and is available for download by clicking the image on the left. Paper copies can be requested by calling (701) 328-4989 or e-mail.