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Four State Engineers Walk Into a Room: Part 1

From the Headwaters

Release Date: 12/05/2025

Lance Yohe, U.S. Commissioner for the International Joint Commission show art Lance Yohe, U.S. Commissioner for the International Joint Commission

From the Headwaters

We are joined by Lance Yohe, the U.S. Commissioner for the International Joint Commission. Lance has spent more than 25 years working on cross-border water issues in the Red River Basin and across the U.S.–Canada border. In our conversation, we talk about the role of the International Joint Commission, how it helps the United States and Canada work together on shared water challenges, and some of the projects the commission is currently focused on. 

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120 Years of the Office of the State Engineer: Part II show art 120 Years of the Office of the State Engineer: Part II

From the Headwaters

Part II continues the roundtable discussion marking 120 years of the Office of the State Engineer, focusing on Devils Lake and other major challenges that tested leadership, shaped policy, and changed the future of water management in North Dakota.

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Four State Engineers Walk Into a Room: Part 1 show art Four State Engineers Walk Into a Room: Part 1

From the Headwaters

To celebrate 120 years of the Office of the State Engineer, we brought together several former State Engineers — and the current one — for an unscripted conversation about the work, the people, and the moments that shaped the agency. Part 1 covers everything from rural water expansion to major floods, funding changes, and how the role has evolved over time.

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A Conversation with State Water Commissioner James Odermann show art A Conversation with State Water Commissioner James Odermann

From the Headwaters

In this episode, we sit down with James Odermann, who was appointed to the North Dakota State Water Commission by Governor Doug Burgum in 2021. From the history of the Southwest Pipeline Project to the future of water management in North Dakota, James shares insights shaped by decades of local experience and public service. Recorded earlier this summer, this extended conversation dives into how water has defined communities in the state’s western region and what challenges lie ahead as we balance supply, quality, and growth.

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From the Headwaters: Interview with DWR Director Reice Haase show art From the Headwaters: Interview with DWR Director Reice Haase

From the Headwaters

In this episode, we interviewed DWR director, Reice Haace for an update on the work the agency is doing across the state, from infrastructure improvements to long term water planning and everything in between. So whether you're a policymaker, a local water user, or just curious about how water shapes life in North Dakota, you're in the right place. 

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More Episodes

To celebrate 120 years of the Office of the State Engineer, we brought together several former State Engineers — and the current one — for an unscripted conversation about the work, the people, and the moments that shaped the agency. Part 1 covers everything from rural water expansion to major floods, funding changes, and how the role has evolved over time.