Governor Armstrong Declares Drought Emergency; State Water Commission Activates Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Assistance Program
August 19, 2026
On August 18, 2026, Governor Kelly Armstrong declared a drought emergency for North Dakota. In response, the State Water Commission activated the Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Assistance Program, effective August 18, 2026. The program provides assistance to eligible livestock producers in drought-affected and adjacent counties.
The following North Dakota counties are eligible: Adams, Barnes, Benson, Billings, Bottineau, Bowman, Burke, Burleigh, Cass, Dickey, Divide, Dunn, Eddy, Emmons, Foster, Golden Valley, Grand Forks, Grant, Griggs, Hettinger, Kidder, LaMoure, McHenry, McKenzie, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Mountrail, Nelson, Oliver, Pierce, Ransom, Renville, Richland, Rolette, Sargent, Sheridan, Sioux, Slope, Stark, Steele, Stutsman, Towner, Traill, Walsh, Ward, Wells, Williams.
Livestock producers in all affected North Dakota counties may qualify for up to $10,000 in cost-share assistance, for up to three projects, on the following items:
- New water wells;
- New rural water system connections;
- New pipeline extensions, pasture taps, and associated works; and
- Contract labor, materials, and equipment rentals for work completed by the producer to develop new water supply projects.
