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Officials say Red River Valley Water Supply project advancing; targeted service to Fargo and Grand Forks by 2032
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Summary
Project managers told the Cass County Commission that the Red River Valley Water Supply — a 125-mile, steel pipeline to move Missouri River water across the divide — is under construction with 26.3 miles in the ground and a projected completion in 2032; cost estimate in 2024 dollars is $1.26 billion.
Duane Ducray, presenting for the Red River Valley Water Supply project, told the Cass County Commission on Oct. 6 that the project is a long‑term emergency water supply and an economic development initiative designed to supplement surface and groundwater during severe droughts and to provide industrial water for statewide growth.
The project will deliver Missouri River water via a 125‑mile, 6‑foot spiral‑welded, concrete‑lined steel pipeline with an epoxy coating. At maximum flow the pipeline is designed for about 165 cubic feet per second. Ducray said 26.3 miles of pipe were in the ground as of Sept. 27, and more than 58 miles are “shovel ready.” He gave a 2032 target for serving the largest users, Fargo and Grand Forks, and a total project cost of $1,260,000,000 in 2024 dollars.
The presentation emphasized two goals: emergency drought supply (the planning horizon cited was population and water needs through 2075 and modeling for a 1930s‑style drought) and economic development. Ducray said North Dakota’s surface water is dominated by the Missouri River, which supplies roughly 95% of current surface water, and that groundwater is largely appropriated or too saline across much of the state.
Ducray described the built components: buried pipeline with at least 7 feet cover, grouted and inspected welds, soil separation and topsoil management to protect landowners’ productive topsoil, and tunneling under rivers and infrastructure where needed. He said contractors have faced schedule pressure from wet conditions on some contracts; he reported 35 miles of pipeline under contract or complete and named contractors working east of Carrington and other segments.
On environmental and regulatory matters, Ducray said the project secured a federal record of decision that allowed use of the McCluskey Canal (saving an estimated $300 million over the originally proposed intake and additional piping). He described a pilot treatment plant used to disinfect water crossing the continental divide (chlorine contact time and UV) to address concerns about transferring biota between basins.
Funding and governance: Ducray described the project as a partnership among Garrison Diversion, the Lake Agassiz Water Authority (created by the 2005 Legislature), the state of North Dakota (he said the state finances roughly 75% with users covering the remainder) and the federal government (seeking appropriations). He noted ongoing outreach to Senator Kevin Cramer (referred to in the presentation as working on appropriations) and said project sponsors remain hopeful for federal funds but had not secured them in recent reconciliation.
Ducray provided a brief user update: he said nominations for capacity put the project at about 163.19 cfs (near the 165 cfs maximum) and that this appropriation level was effectively fully subscribed. He also outlined that the current legislative biennium appropriation would fund pipeline miles, biota treatment plant work and design completion.
Ending: Ducray offered to return for follow‑up and to provide further technical briefings to commissioners. The presentation ran about 30 minutes and drew largely informational questions and expressions of support from commissioners.
