Water issues on table at State Fair

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The North Dakota Water Education Foundation was created to help North Dakotans face the challenges of water issues.

Knowledge and understanding are essential for informed decision making and through the programs of the foundation, information about water supply and delivery, water management, water quality and water use issues will result in wise decisions for the present and the future.

The purpose of the foundation is to develop and implement water information and water education programs in North Dakota, and to increase understanding and knowledge about water resource issues in North Dakota.

The programs of the foundation are for decision makers, water managers, farmers and landowners, students and educators, natural resource professionals and the general public of the state.

The foundation is governed by a 15-member board of directors, representing a variety of areas and interests across the state.

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Water projects and issues took center stage at the North Dakota State Fair Thursday when all the organizations that supply fresh water to the residents of the state came together under one roof.

It was an educational campaign designed by the North Dakota Water Education Foundation, which has never before had a presence at the State Fair.

"We're trying to educate people on water issues in North Dakota," said Jean Schafer, who organized the event. "We saw an opportunity to engage with people at the State Fair and we took it."

According to Schafer, there was absolutely no difficulty in getting the organizations together. She said she works with them on a daily basis so when she began making calls, everyone jumped on board.

The carnival-type atmosphere, which had an additional itinerary geared toward children, was held in the big tent on the south side of the fairgrounds.

Organizations that had booths included the Northwest Area Water Supply project, the Southwest Pipeline Project, Devils Lake Water Supply, North Central Rural Water Consortium, South Central Regional Water, Municipal, Rural and Industrial programs and the Red River Valley Water Supply.

But other water-related entities also enjoyed the shade and the conversation of hundreds of fair-goers. They included the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota Weather Modification, the Bureau of Reclamation, North Prairie Rural Water District, Friends of Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota State University Irrigation and the North Dakota State Water Commission.

Schafer said "Water Day," which culminated in a mass giveaway of free snow cones, was put together for two reasons. It was really designed to educate adults and children about the importance of water in our daily lives, but it was also the perfect time to thank water project supporters by sharing food, games and prizes.

"This is the first time we've done this and we'll be back to the fair if they'll have us," Schafer said. "It's a win-win for us and the fair. We see it as a great fit."

She isn't sure about getting water organizations together in other high-traffic venues like Norsk Hstfest, Red River Valley Fair, Marketplace for Entrepreneurs or the Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcases. In fact, she doubts that will happen.

Even though everything came together quickly and easily, Schafer attributed the success to the State Fair's reputation, describing it as the best place for this type of event.

She prefers to put her energy, and the energy of her staff, into a successful "Water Day" in Minot in July.

And, as one might imagine, there were a wide variety of opinions regarding water issues ranging from Missouri River water going to Fargo, to residents in the south paying too much in taxes to stop Devils Lake from flooding.

"But when you connect one on one, it's an opportunity to address and hear their issues," Schafer said. "It's another mission at the fair."

"Water Day" was also an opportunity for city residents to analyze quality issues and look at the importance of their water vs. rural water systems across the state.

Michelle Klose, the NAWS project manager for the State Water Commission, talked to people about NAWS, which isn't without controversy, albeit Canadian legal issues.

"There's a lot of interest in NAWS and I've had a lot of positive comments," Klose said. "People have a lot of interest in this project."

Klose suggested "Water Day" was a great idea since it was the first time all the groups could meet the public at the same time. It was the perfect opportunity for water project leaders to share their information with interested residents of North Dakota.

Joe Belford, a Ramsey County commissioner who has been working the Devils Lake flooding issue since the early '90s, said there are people in North Dakota who have no idea what is happening on Devils Lake.

He said city and county officials and homeowners may now be facing the issue of having to pay additional flood insurance if the current levees aren't built up.

Belford continues to debate Manitoba officials on the problems North Dakota's largest natural lake have caused including rerouting traffic and moving people out of their homes.

He said if Manitoba Premier Gary Doer would just ease up a little, many of the issues could be solved quickly and easily.

"It's good to be here," Belford said. "People just don't know what we're facing. Devils Lake is like a perpetual problem. It just doesn't go away."

Darin Langerud manned the weather modification booth, which doesn't have a whole lot to do with water supply, but is an important issue to several counties in North Dakota.

McKenzie, Mountrail, Ward, Williams, Bowman and part of Slope counties are all involved in weather modification, or cloud seeding as many call it.

Langerud said he would like to take credit for the rain that fell in Ward County Wednesday morning, but nature gets the gold star because clouds have to be present before modification can happen. He said weather modification is as much about hail suppression as it is rain.

And for the skeptics, Langerud said the program is obviously working because this is the 50th consecutive year Ward County has been involved in weather modification.