The Current A Newsletter from the Department of Water Resources - September 2025

Water Development Division

It is my honor and privilege to serve as the Director of the Water Development Division at the Department of Water Resources. I’m excited to share an overview of the roles and responsibilities of our talented team members, as well as some recent highlights and accomplishments from across the division.

Prior to August 1, 2025, the Water Development Division consisted of five sections and a Project Support Specialist. The five sections were Investigations, Design and Construction, Southwest Pipeline Project (SWPP), Northwest Area Water Supply Project (NAWS), and the Red River Office. A Project Support Specialist provided support across these sections.

With the retirement of long-serving Red River Basin Engineer Randy Gjestvang—who dedicated 44 years of service to the agency—a reorganization of the division is underway. The reorganized Water Development Division will include the following five sections: Technical Advisory and Response, Transboundary Watershed Management, Design and Construction, NAWS, and SWPP. The Project Support Specialist will continue to provide support across all sections.

The Technical Advisory and Response Section provides critical technical support and assistance to the Department of Water Resources (DWR), other state agencies, political subdivisions, and various stakeholders. This section also plays an important role in emergency response efforts in coordination with the Department of Emergency Services. While spring flooding remains the primary emergency for which the Department provides assistance, the team has also supported responses to other events, such as wildfires. The section is led by Alexis Faber, who serves as Section Manager and provides overall leadership. The team includes Kathryn Goos, a Water Resource Engineer, and Dan McDonald, the agency’s sole Surveyor.

The Transboundary Watershed Management Section is dedicated to promoting sound water resource management and protecting North Dakota’s water resources for the benefit of the state and its residents. Team members in this section actively participate in a wide range of interstate, interagency, and international efforts to stay informed on water resource issues that span multiple jurisdictions and affect North Dakota. The Section Manager position is currently vacant, with the Department planning to advertise in the near future. Current team members include Laura Ackerman, Mouse River Engineer; Clay Carufel, Missouri River Engineer; and Yaping Chi, Red River Basin Engineer. The Red River Basin Engineer operates out of the Red River Office in Fargo. This position is 50% funded by the Red River Joint Water Resource Board (RRJWRB) and is expected to dedicate approximately half of their time providing technical assistance to the RRJWRB.

The Design and Construction Section is responsible for providing operations, repair, and maintenance assistance to state-owned projects, including the Devils Lake Outlets and Tolna Coulee control structure. The Design and Construction Section also provides assistance to other state agencies and political subdivisions on projects with estimated construction costs less than the public improvement threshold defined in the North Dakota Century Code. The team includes Joe Morrissette, Section Manager; Tom Engberg, Engineering Technician; Andrew Rodriquez, Construction Crew Lead; Bryan Hanson and Casey Renner, members of the Construction Crew; and Jeff Trana and Del Nordrum, members of the Devils Lake Outlets operations.

The state of North Dakota, through the Water Commission, owns SWPP and NAWS, the two state-owned regional water systems. DWR is responsible for the construction of SWPP. The management and operations of SWPP were transferred to Southwest Water Authority (SWA) in 1996. DWR staff within the Water Development Division are responsible for administering construction contracts for SWPP. The SWPP team includes Justin Froseth and Darron Nichols. Froseth, the SWPP Manager, is responsible for team management, providing leadership, and serving as a liaison between DWR and SWA. Nichols, a Senior Water Resource Manager, is responsible for field inspection and developing landowner relations.

DWR team members are responsible for both construction and operations of the NAWS project. The team at DWR for NAWS includes the NAWS Project Manager, which is currently vacant. The NAWS Project Manager provides team management and leadership for NAWS at DWR. Other NAWS team members are Perry Weiner, Clint Cogdill, and Brandon Weist. Weiner, Senior Water Resource Manager, is responsible for construction-related activities for NAWS, while Cogdill and Weist, Engineering Technicians, are responsible for operations.

The Project Support Specialist position is currently vacant with Travis Thyberg's transition to the Sovereign Land Management program. This position provides support to all Water Development team members, including but not limited to developing meeting minutes, organizing and analyzing data, processing payments, and assisting with other projects as needed.

Some recent projects and activities from the Division include:

Missouri River Potential Intake Locations Investigation Study – This effort was completed in summer 2025. It is a comprehensive desktop analysis that reviewed various criteria to determine suitable surface water and subsurface intake sites from the Montana state line to Washburn, ND. The goal of the investigation was to identify sites where an intake with a capacity of at least 15,000 acre-feet per year could be constructed to expand existing industry, attract new industrial opportunities to the state, and serve additional irrigation and municipal water supplies. The intake study was commissioned after a formal request for proposals was issued in early 2024. HDR was selected through a competitive procurement process.

The study identified the 11 top-ranked surface water intake sites and the six (6) top-ranked subsurface intake sites. These sites were evaluated based on multiple criteria, including water availability, water quality, sedimentation risk, proximity to infrastructure such as railroads, roads, power lines, and gas lines, as well as expressed interest by industry. While the data provided by this study is robust, a Phase 2 Investigation is planned by DWR to verify conditions in the field, confirm findings, and determine the technical feasibility of site development. Field verification may include bathymetric surveys, LiDAR collection, geotechnical sampling, aquifer testing, and cultural resource evaluations.

SWPP Supplementary Raw Water Intake – After more than two years of negotiations, all involved parties reached a mediated settlement agreement in principle regarding the SWPP’s Supplementary Raw Water Intake Project in summer 2025. This agreement marks a significant milestone, clearing the path for final planning and construction activities necessary to secure the project’s long-term intake capacity.

Lake Sakakawea Water Delivery to NAWS – The intake and Biota Water Treatment Plant construction necessary to deliver Lake Sakakawea water to the NAWS project has been ongoing since 2020. Bids for the final contracts, needed for the construction of the permanent intake pipeline and screen structure, were opened in July 2025, and DWR is in the process of awarding the contract. The delivery of Lake Sakakawea water to the NAWS project is expected in 2026.

Devils Lake Outlets – The summer of 2025 marked the twentieth year of operation for the West Outlet and the fourteenth for the East Outlet. Together, the outlets have discharged a combined total of over 1.5 million acre-feet of water.

Thank you for your interest in the Water Development Division at the Department of Water Resources. In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to Randy Gjestvang for his admirable service to the State of North Dakota. I wish him the best of health and happiness in his retirement. His expertise will be greatly missed!!!

DWR Completes Missouri River Intake Study - Identifies Optimal Sites For Future Industrial, Irrigation, & Municipal Water Use

The North Dakota Department of Water Resources (DWR) has announced the completion of the Missouri River Potential Intake Locations Investigation, a strategic study aimed at identifying optimal surface and subsurface water intake sites along the Missouri River corridor. The findings mark a major milestone in North Dakota’s efforts to support industrial development, expand irrigation capacity, and strengthen domestic water supply options using the state’s most abundant freshwater source.

The study identified the 11 top-ranked surface water intake sites and the six (6) top-ranked subsurface intake sites. These sites were evaluated based on multiple criteria, including but not limited to, water availability, water quality, sedimentation risk, proximity to infrastructure such as railroads, roads, power lines, and gas lines, as well as expressed interest by industry.

The study area spanned 231.6 river miles from the Montana state line to Washburn, ND—including 178 miles within Lake Sakakawea and 53.6 miles of free-flowing river channel. Conducted by HDR Engineering, Inc. and subconsultants, the study evaluated intake sites with the capacity to supply at least 15,000 acre-feet of water per year (approximately 9,300 gallons per minute), suitable for industrial, irrigation, or municipal use.

To determine optimal intake sites, the study used two geospatial models—one for surface water and one for subsurface aquifers—to score and rank grid cells throughout the study area based on the criteria mentioned above. Spatial analysis was used to rank surface water and subsurface sites for each river reach and aquifer identified in the study.

“This effort supports our strategic goal of putting North Dakota’s water to its highest and best use,” said Reice Haase, Director of the Department of Water Resources. “With this study, we now have a data-driven framework to guide additional development and investment in water infrastructure along the Missouri River.”

The intake study was commissioned after a formal request for proposals (RFP) was issued in early 2024. HDR was selected through a competitive procurement process, and the State Water Commission approved a $335,000 contract for the work in April 2024.

“This study lays the groundwork for economic opportunity, thoughtful development, and long-term water planning in North Dakota,” Haase added. “By narrowing the field to the most promising intake locations, we’ve created a clearer path forward.”

While the data provided by this study is robust, the DWR will verify conditions in the field to confirm findings and determine the technical feasibility of site development. Field verification may include completing bathymetric surveys, LiDAR collection, geotechnical sampling, aquifer testing, and cultural resource evaluations.

To view the full report and site maps, visit www.dwr.nd.gov.

PROMOTIONS – MOVIN’ ON UP!

Amy Winkelman - Sovereign Land Manager

Pat Fridgen - Deputy Director

Duane Pool - Planning & Education Division Director

Paul Moen - Data & Atmospheric Resource Division Director

Sarah Felchle - Accounting & Grant Manager

Brandon Weist - Northwest Area Water Supply Distribution Operator

NEW HIRES – GLAD YOU COULD JOIN US!

Casey Renner

We’re excited to welcome Casey Renner to the DWR team as an Engineering Tech III with the Construction Crew! Casey is already diving into the learning process and preparing to take on the challenges and responsibilities ahead. He’s looking forward to developing new skills and contributing to the work of DWR.

Casey grew up in Dickinson, ND, and moved to Bismarck in 2012 after returning home from deployment. He’s a graduate of Dickinson High School, completed his general studies at Dickinson State University, and earned a Locomotive Engineer certification from Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas.

Prior to joining DWR, Casey served as a Driver License Examiner for the North Dakota Department of Transportation. In that role, he conducted knowledge and skills tests, verified documents, updated customer accounts, and managed a variety of challenging customer service situations with professionalism and patience.

Outside of work, Casey is a passionate automotive enthusiast. He enjoys building, modifying, and racing cars, as well as attending car shows and community events. At home, he’s kept company by his trio of cats—Fifi, Willow, and Muzzy—who provide equal parts entertainment and supervision.

Bryan Pulkrabek

Bryan Pulkrabek recently joined DWR as a Driller Assistant. In his role, Bryan supports the head driller by shoveling the mud tub and driving the water truck. He’s eager to dive into the work and contribute to the team’s drilling operations!

Bryan grew up on a farm in Mandan, North Dakota, and graduated from Mandan High School. Before joining DWR, he worked at TESS, where he was responsible for making and loading straw wattles – an experience that gave him a strong foundation in hands-on, physical work.

In his free time, Bryan enjoys riding dirt bikes, hanging out with friends, and working on vehicles. He brings a strong work ethic and a love for machinery to his new role at DWR.

Jen Verleger

Please welcome Jen Verleger to the DWR, where she’s bringing her legal expertise—and an impressive candy stash—to the team as our new General Counsel.

Jen’s role? Providing legal advice, issuing the occasional snarky commentary, and vigilantly striking the word “shall” from existence. She’s thrilled to be back in the North Dakota water world and is looking forward to reconnecting with old colleagues and meeting the new faces around DWR.

Originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan (yes, it’s a real place), Jen once served popcorn to Derek Jeter at her high school movie theater job. Since then, she’s collected an impressive lineup of degrees from Cornell (B.S. in Civil Engineering), Carnegie Mellon (M.S. in Environmental Engineering Management), the University of Michigan (MBA), and—surprise!—a JD from Michigan State, completed in secret. We’d say “overachiever,” but we’re a little scared she’ll mark up the memo.

Jen is no stranger to DWR. She previously served as an Assistant Attorney General in North Dakota, where she spent years representing this very agency and advising on water law. More recently, she took her talents south to the “other Dakota” where she represented South Dakota’s Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources—including its Office of Water.

Outside of work, Jen is an avid reader—158 books and counting this year alone—and enjoys spending time with friends, playing board games, and maintaining a love/hate relationship with her rowing machine. No spouse, kids, or pets (though she once worked at a pet cemetery).

Erin Stieg

Erin joins DWR as a Water Resource Project Specialist, where she will be assisting with open records requests and providing support to the Regulatory and Appropriation Divisions. She looks forward to working with a great team and getting to know everyone at the department.

A Bismarck native, Erin graduated from Bismarck High School and went on to earn a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Human Resources from the University of Mary. Prior to joining DWR, she served as the Grant Program Administrator for the Industrial Commission, where she oversaw the Lignite Research Program, the Oil and Gas Research Program, the Renewable Energy Program, and the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority.

Outside of work, Erin and her husband Cody keep busy renovating their home and spending time with their two kids, Colton (12) and Echo (9). When the weather is nice, the family enjoys getting out on the water on their personal watercrafts. She also loves to travel and try new restaurants.