The regulation, administration, and allocation of the State of North Dakota's water resources. This includes water rights allocation, drainage control, dike and dam safety and floodplain management.

Water management with a long-term direction for water development that is reflective of current water trends, and which builds upon the success and opportunities available to the state.

The staff members of the State Water Commission are divided into five separate divisions: Administrative Services, Atmospheric Resources, Planning and Education, Water Appropriations, and Water Development.

Administrative Services Division
Dale Frink, State Engineer, Chief Engineer
Secretary of the State Water Commission
701-328-4940

The Administrative Services Division provides the overall direction of agency powers and duties as described in the state water laws. Activities include the State Engineer's and the State Water Commission's operations, as well as accounting, information technology, records and support services for all agency programs.

Atmospheric Resources Division
Darin Langerud, Director
701-328-2788

The Atmospheric Resources Division is responsible for the licensing, permitting and administrative oversight of cloud seeding activities. The Atmospheric Resources Division conducts cloud seeding for rain enhancement and hail reduction, statewide rain and hail data collection, project evaluations and basic cloud research.

Planning and Education Division
Lee Klapprodt, Director
701-328-4989

The Planning and Education Division is responsible for the development and maintenance of the State Water Plan for the State of North Dakota. Staff also participates in numerous international, regional, state and local water resource-planning activities, and manages the agency's water education program.

Water Appropriations Division
Robert Shaver, Director
701-328-2754

The Water Appropriations Division is responsible for administration of the water permitting system, and hydrologic investigations required to identify and quantify available ground and surface water resources.

Water Development Division
Todd Sando, Assistant State Engineer
701-328-2752

The Water Development Division is responsible for providing technical review and guidance in water management, project design, and in regulating project construction. Major projects owned and constructed by the State Water Commission include the Southwest Pipeline Project, the Northwest Area Water Supply Project and the Devils Lake Outlet. The Commission also provides grants to local subdivisions for water projects.