North Dakota Department of Water Resources

The North Dakota Department of Water Resources is a state agency based in Bismarck, North Dakota. It is comprised of 30 employees and generates an annual revenue of $50 million. The department was formed in 2021 from the reorganization of the State Water Commission and Office of the State Engineer. The North Dakota Department of Water Resources investigates, plans, constructs, and develops water-related projects throughout the state. The department financially supports these efforts and has six divisions: Administration, Atmospheric Resources, Planning and Education, Regulatory, Water Appropriation, and Water Development. The department's responsibilities include allocating the state's water resources, overseeing dam safety, and managing drainage systems. The North Dakota State Engineer, established in 1905, is a part of the department and holds regulatory authority over these functions. The Department of Water Resources can be contacted through its website at dwr.nd.gov. In addition to its main office in Bismarck, the department has field offices in Fargo and near Minnewaukan.