2009 Water Tours

The 2009 water tours offer a firsthand look at North Dakota's critical water issues. Water supply and quality, environmental restoration, fish and wildlife, flood management, water conservation and more are illustrated and addressed by a wide variety of speakers representing different viewpoints during these one-day tours. Individual registration is $15 per person and includes tour transportation, meals, refreshments, informational materials, and a one-year subscription to the North Dakota Water magazine.

Tile Drainage Tour–June 16

Rising land values have increased interest in subsoil water management in eastern North Dakota. This tour will focus on the fundamentals of tile drainage as a crop production technology. System design concepts and economics will be reviewed as well as water quality and environmental impacts. Both field scale and research model systems will be viewed. Farmers, landowners, contractors and land and water resource managers will find this tour of interest. This tour begins and ends on the NDSU campus in Fargo.

Devils Lake Solutions – June 24

A wet winter has brought even more issues to the Devils Lake area, and even though the outlet is now complete, it remains a critical and controversial component of the state’s three-pronged approach to flood relief for the Devils Lake area, which also includes upper basin storage and infrastructure protection. As water continues to inundate the region, the tour focuses on numerous water-related issues including the growing problems in Nelson County and Stump Lake, fish and wildlife, water quality, agriculture, recreation, infrastructure, and the economics of how a region copes with too much water. This tour begins and ends in Devils Lake. 

Red River of the North:  Simply Grand! – July 8

While in Grand Forks, tour participants will see components of the Grand Forks flood control project as well as new construction and greenway development since the flood of 1997. This half-day tour will also take in some of the sites in the Grand Forks area including the Englestad Arena, the Grand Forks Air Force base and the Heritage Village in East Grand Forks.

North Central North Dakota: A Four Season Playground – July 29

Participants need Photo ID or Current Passport.

Please send full name and birth date as we need to send a list to customs one week prior.

The north central area of our state has become the focus of significant water supply needs because of projects like the Northwest Area Water Supply (NAWS) and the North Central Rural Water Consortium. Join us as we explore this area of our state and parts of Canada. This tour will depart from Bottineau and travel the scenic byway with stops at North Dakota’s version of “Stonehenge”—Mystic Horizons, Lake Metigoshe Recreation Area, the Wakopa Trail in the St. John area and an extensive tour of the International Peace Garden. Learn about NAWS and how other rural and tribal communities are working to meet their growing water needs, and see first-hand the many sites located in the “Gateway to the Turtle Mountains.”

Missouri River Expedition – August 13                                     

Explore the incredible Missouri River and learn about critical Missouri River issues including bank stabilization, fishing, recreation, water use and management, endangered species, natural resources and water quality. This expedition begins in Bismarck, and includes visits to the South Central Regional Water District’s brand-new water treatment plant and headquarters, recreation and historic sites in the Bismarck area, the Fort Mandan Historic Site, Snake Creek Pumping Station, Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery and more, while traveling the Lewis and Clark trail via motorized coach.

Splendor of the Sheyenne – August 19

The Sheyenne River is a 581-mile-long river that runs through seven counties in eastern North Dakota. The river is home to a fish hatchery, state park, dams and recreational facilities. Explore the river to learn why the Sheyenne is part of the discussion on the Devils Lake crisis, and gain a better understanding of the benefits and potential this river holds as part of the solution for the Red River Valley Water Supply Project to supplement the Valley's existing water supplies during times of need. Tourists depart from Valley City and visit the Baldhill Dam and Lake Ashtabula, Fort Ransom State Park, and travel to the Oakes Test Area for a look at irrigation-related research.