Armstrong, Goehring Announce Activation of Livestock Water Supply Program as Drought Disaster Declared

Aug 20, 2026

Kelly Armstrong and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring today voted with the State Water Commission to activate a water supply assistance program for livestock producers as the governor declared a drought disaster for extremely dry conditions across North Dakota.

The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday by the National Drought Mitigation Center showed 33.6% of North Dakota in moderate drought, 28.1% in severe drought and 2.3% in extreme drought – the first report this summer to include extreme drought status. The remainder of the state was rated abnormally dry except for part of Dickey County.

“This July ranked as one of the hottest and driest on record in North Dakota, putting enormous strain on livestock producers who are just trying to keep their herds watered and fed and their operations afloat,” Armstrong said. “Today’s action supports producers who want to invest in water projects that will help them through the current drought and make their operations more resilient against future droughts. Our agencies will continue to explore every option for relief as drought conditions persist.”

It was the sixth-warmest July on record in North Dakota, with an average high temperature of 86.9 degrees, and the 12^th-driest July on record, with total average precipitation of 1.25 inches, according to the State Climate Office. Many areas of the state received less than an inch of rain in July.

“The drought has dried up livestock dams that producers usually depend on for grazing, and water quality has been a serious concern,” Goehring said. “The actions taken today will provide more permanent solutions and mitigate drought impacts for livestock producers in the future.”

The State Water Commission voted unanimously today to activate and make $2 million available for the Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Project Assistance Program. The program provides cost-share assistance on items including new water wells, rural water system connections, pipeline extensions, pasture taps and associated works, as well as labor, materials and equipment rentals for work completed on new water supply projects. Each producer is eligible for cost-share on up to three projects and may be reimbursed up to 65%, but no more than $10,000, of the eligible cost of each project.

Source : nd.gov

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