The North Dakota Department of Water Resources (Department) has received an emergency drain permit application to drain water from Fenster Lake in Ramsey County to Devils Lake.

In accordance with N.D.A.C. § 89-02-05.1-06, the Department will host a public meeting regarding the application on June 11, 2026 at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be available both in person in Bismarck and virtually.

Meeting Agenda (Secretary Of State Website)

Application Files

DWR and the State Water Commission have scheduled their Commissioner-hosted basin meetings for the 2026 summer season. These meetings provide an opportunity for local stakeholders, water managers, and members of the public to hear updates on water development activities and share input on water issues within their basin. Meeting dates and locations have been finalized and are available on our website in the Upcoming Meetings page.

The North Dakota Department of Water Resources hosts multiple public meetings throughout the year. A complete list of scheduled meetings for this year include dates and agenda.

Director Reice Haase responds to recent claims characterizing Missouri River water use as a “water war” and outlines North Dakota’s position on state sovereignty and responsible water management. He highlights the state’s historic sacrifices and the minimal share of river water North Dakota actually uses. The piece calls for renewed basin-wide cooperation and a collaborative path forward for all Missouri River states.

Opinion: The Missouri River Is a Shared Resource, Not a Battleground

From the Headwaters, a podcast from the North Dakota Department of Water Resources, explores the people, projects and policies shaping North Dakota's water future. Each episode, we will bring you stories from the field, updates on major initiatives, and conversations with the folks working behind the scenes to protect, manage, and develop one of our state's most vital resources: water. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Listen To From The Headwaters Podcast Now.

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.

April - The Current