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From the Headwaters

From the Headwaters

Written by: North Dakota Department of Water Resources
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 Welcome to From the Headwaters, a podcast from the North Dakota Department of Water Resources. We are excited to have you with us as we explore the people, projects and policies shaping North Dakota's water future. Here at From the Headwaters, we'll 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.2025 Nature & Ecology Politics & Government Science
Episodes
  • 120 Years of the Office of the State Engineer: Part II

    120 Years of the Office of the State Engineer: Part II
    Jan 22 2026

    Part II continues the roundtable discussion marking 120 years of the Office of the State Engineer, focusing on Devils Lake and other major challenges that tested leadership, shaped policy, and changed the future of water management in North Dakota.
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    32 mins
  • Four State Engineers Walk Into a Room: Part 1

    Four State Engineers Walk Into a Room: Part 1
    Dec 5 2025

    To celebrate 120 years of the Office of the State Engineer, we brought together several former State Engineers — and the current one — for an unscripted conversation about the work, the people, and the moments that shaped the agency. Part 1 covers everything from rural water expansion to major floods, funding changes, and how the role has evolved over time.
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    52 mins
  • A Conversation with State Water Commissioner James Odermann

    A Conversation with State Water Commissioner James Odermann
    Sep 26 2025

    In this episode, we sit down with James Odermann, who was appointed to the North Dakota State Water Commission by Governor Doug Burgum in 2021. From the history of the Southwest Pipeline Project to the future of water management in North Dakota, James shares insights shaped by decades of local experience and public service.

    Recorded earlier this summer, this extended conversation dives into how water has defined communities in the state's western region and what challenges lie ahead as we balance supply, quality, and growth.
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    22 mins
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