North Dakota Department Of Water Resources

The Department of Water Resources is a state agency that is responsible for various water management and development efforts in North Dakota. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) was previously called the State Water Commission, which itself was originally created by Legislative action in 1937 for the specific purpose of fostering and promoting water resources development throughout the state. Reorganization of the Water Commission and Office of the State Engineer into the Department of Water Resources occurred from the passage of HB 1353 during the 2021 Legislative Assembly. DWR has the authority to investigate, plan, construct, and develop water-related projects, and serves as a mechanism to financially support those efforts throughout North Dakota. There are six divisions that make up the DWR: Administration, Atmospheric Resources, Planning and Education, Regulatory, Water Appropriation, and Water Development. DWR is primarily located in the State Office Building near the State Capitol in Bismarck, North Dakota. In addition, DWR has field offices in Fargo, and near Minnewaukan. North Dakota’s State Engineer (established in 1905) is responsible for several regulatory functions that today are under the authority of the Department of Water Resources. Specific duties include allocation of the state’s waters, dam safety, and drainage.