By Scout Nelson
A new irrigation and drainage study highlights major opportunities to strengthen agricultural production and economic growth in North Dakota. State leaders recently reviewed the findings of the study, which was commissioned through House Bill 1531 and completed by Decision Innovation Solutions.
Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring discussed the results and the potential benefits of expanding irrigation across the state. The study found that approximately 1.3 million additional acres could be developed for irrigation based on available water resources and suitable soils.
“The study showed that we could develop another 1.3 million acres of irrigation in the state based on soil suitability and water availability,” Goehring said.
The report identifies several regions with strong irrigation potential, including areas connected to the Missouri River Basin, Lake Sakakawea, the Garrison Diversion canal, the Souris River Basin, and the Red River Basin. Additional opportunities may also exist through the use of underground aquifer resources.
According to the study, counties with the greatest irrigation potential include McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McHenry, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau.
Researchers also examined the long-term economic effects of limited irrigation development. The report suggests that irrigation plans first proposed through the Pick-Sloan Plan in the 1940s were not fully developed, resulting in substantial missed economic opportunities over several decades.
“The potential for irrigation development was part of the original Pick-Sloan Plan of the 1940s but has not yet occurred, resulting in an aggregate economic impact loss of $9.7 billion between 1970 and 2024,” Goehring said.
The study estimates that lost economic opportunities have recently exceeded $400 million each year. Expanded irrigation could help diversify crop production, improve yields, and support additional value-added agricultural processing.
“In recent years, the lost economic opportunities have been more than $400 million annually,” Goehring continued. “With effective irrigation developments, we could likely expand value-added processing, resulting in $500 million in positive economic impacts to agriculture.”
The report also examined legal drainage systems in 12 North Dakota counties. Researchers found these drainage projects contribute about $87.9 million annually to the state economy, demonstrating the importance of water management investments for agricultural success.
Photo Credit: istock-laughingmango
Categories: North Dakota, Crops