Red River Retention Authority
The Red River Retention Authority is comprised of members of the Red River Joint Water Resource District, a North Dakota political subdivision, and the Red River Watershed Management Board, a Minnesota political subdivision. The primary objective of the Red River Retention Authority is to ensure joint, comprehensive, and strategic coordination of retention projects in the Red River of the North watershed and facilitating implementation and construction of retention in the Red River Valley. The Authority and its members will aggressively pursue federal dollars to off-set local costs for retention projects, and will serve as an advocate for local projects in the federal regulatory process. Our Directors seek basin-wide solutions to realize effective flood protection and flood damage reduction, accomplished on a strategic project-by-project basis.
2023 Meeting Dates
March 16, 2023
June 21, 2023 September 21, 2023 December 13, 2023 |
10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. |
Cass County Highway Department, West Fargo, ND
Red River Basin Commission Office, Fargo, ND Cass County Highway Department, West Fargo, ND Cass County Highway Department, West Fargo, ND |
Recent Activities and Events
Red River Basin Maps
Download the pdf version of the map here.
Download the pdf version of the map here.
Red River Retention Authority announces the approval of their new 2021 Strategic Plan

The Red River Retention Authority, at their March 2021 Board of Directors meeting gave final approval for their new Strategic Plan, including a Service Provided Fact Sheet. The Strategic Plan can be viewed and downloaded by clicking here. The Service Provided Fact Sheet can be viewed and downloaded here.
Any questions regarding the new plan and fact sheet may be directed to:
Keith A. Weston
Executive Director
Red River Retention Authority
Phone 701-356-6644
Cell 701-566-2121
Email rrra@ideaone.net
The Red River Retention Authority, at their March 2021 Board of Directors meeting gave final approval for their new Strategic Plan, including a Service Provided Fact Sheet. The Strategic Plan can be viewed and downloaded by clicking here. The Service Provided Fact Sheet can be viewed and downloaded here.
Any questions regarding the new plan and fact sheet may be directed to:
Keith A. Weston
Executive Director
Red River Retention Authority
Phone 701-356-6644
Cell 701-566-2121
Email rrra@ideaone.net
RRRA 2021 Priority Projects
Download the RRRA 2021 priority projects list here.
Agricultural Practice Effectiveness for Reducing Nutrients in the Red River Basin of the North
The Agricultural Practice Effectiveness for Reducing Nutrients in the Red River Basin of the North report was recently distributed. The workshop summary report comes from The Red River Basin/Cold Climate Agricultural Nutrients BMP Workshop held April 16–17, 2019 at the University of Minnesota Crookston in Crookston, Minnesota. It focuses on summarizing scientific findings for BMP effectiveness and suitability in cold regions such as the Red River Basin. The Workshop was attended by a broad cross section of university researchers, state/provincial and federal government researchers and extension staff, and industry professionals involved in studying BMPs in agricultural landscapes. The purpose of the workshop was to review and explore the available research on the effectiveness of BMPs in cold climates and develop consensus recommendations. The Red River Basin/Cold Climate Agricultural Nutrients BMP Workshop and the completion of the workshop summary report are important steps in moving towards achieving additional reductions in nutrient loading into the Red River from activities across the Red River Basin. Click here to read the full report. |
Black River Flood Impoundment Project Construction Begins
Article courtesy of Red River Watershed Management Board
Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Projects
NEW RCPP Watershed Planning Status Map
Click here to download the RCPP Watershed Planning Status Map.
- The RRRA has been offered a Partnership Agreement with NRCS through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to provide funding for the implementation of PL556 watershed protection projects in the Basin. ($12 million) The RCPP is also a part of the 2014 Farm Bill. A map of the RCPP watershed project areas in the Red River Basin of the North can be viewed here.
- The RRRA has a special allocation of 2014 Farm Bill funding from NRCS for the Red River Basin to assist landowners/producers, watersheds and water districts to implement NRCS practices to assist in flood damage reduction practices on their lands. ($50 million)
On June 13, 2017, Co-chairman John Finney provided Congressional testimony to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry and responded to questions from the members of the Committee regarding Small Watershed Infrastructure: "Continuing the Mission, Building Upon Success." His testimony can be heard here and begins at 1 hour 18 minutes and 30 seconds.
RRWMA Pool 3 Outlet Project ribbon cutting ceremony
Click here for more photos of the ceremony.
Click here for more photos of the ceremony.