Dakota Water Resources Act Amendments of 2026

The Dakota Water Resources Act Amendments of 2026 proposes to increase federal funding limits for several major water infrastructure projects across North Dakota. The bill aims to fulfill long-standing federal commitments to the state and five Tribal Nations following the construction of the Garrison and Oahe Dams, which flooded significant portions of local farmland. Because North Dakota is reaching its current federal spending cap for these projects, this legislation would raise those limits to allow for the completion of critical water delivery systems.

If enacted, the bill would authorize hundreds of millions of dollars for specific regional efforts, including the Northwest Area Water Supply Project and the Eastern North Dakota Alternate Water Supply Project. These projects are designed to transport water from the Missouri River to areas facing water scarcity or quality issues. The bill also specifically allocates funding for water systems serving the Spirit Lake, Standing Rock, Turtle Mountain, and Three Affiliated Tribes, as well as the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation.