Central ND News

U.S. Senator John Hoeven has announced a major investment in North Dakota’s water infrastructure, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) awarded a $23.8 million contract for critical upgrades to the Garrison Dam Spillway. The project will include dredging and the installation of riprap to reinforce the dam’s spillway, with work scheduled for completion in April 2028.

Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Committee, said the federal funds will help ensure the long-term stability of one of the region’s most vital infrastructure assets.

“The Garrison Dam is crucial infrastructure in our region, and vital to ensuring that we have a reliable water supply for communities and agriculture, as well as recreation and tourism,” Hoeven said in a statement. He added that the improvements are also key to managing water levels along the Missouri River and mitigating the risk of flooding.

The Garrison Dam, located on the Missouri River in central North Dakota, was constructed in the 1950s and is one of the largest earthen dams in the world. Its reservoir, Lake Sakakawea, provides water for municipal use, irrigation, hydropower, and fish and wildlife habitat. It also supports a large share of the state’s recreational and tourism economy.

According to the USACE, the rehabilitation project is intended to address aging infrastructure and enhance protection for downstream communities. Riprap—large rock used to armor shorelines and structures—will be placed to prevent erosion and strengthen the spillway’s capacity during high-flow events.

The Corps says the project aligns with broader federal priorities to invest in aging water systems and strengthen climate resilience in flood-prone areas.

Work is expected to begin later this year.