A Conversation with State Water Commissioner James Odermann

Missouri River Joint Water Board's EAE Program with Wade Bachmeier and Ken Royse

In this episode, we sit down with Wade Bachmeier and Ken Royse to talk about the Missouri River Joint Water Board's EAE Program — Educate, Advocate, and Engage — and the important work being done to support the future of Missouri River water management in North Dakota.

Lance Yohe, U.S. Commissioner for the International Joint Commission

We are joined by Lance Yohe, the U.S. Commissioner for the International Joint Commission. Lance has spent more than 25 years working on cross-border water issues in the Red River Basin and across the U.S.–Canada border. In our conversation, we talk about the role of the International Joint Commission, how it helps the United States and Canada work together on shared water challenges, and some of the projects the commission is currently focused on.

120 Years of the Office of the State Engineer: Part II

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.

Four State Engineers Walk Into a Room: Part 1

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.

A Conversation with State Water Commissioner James Odermann

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.