DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (DWR) – The North Dakota Department of Water Resources (DWR) officially began annual discharge operations from the state-owned Devils Lake West End Outlet, initiating flows at 175 cubic feet per second (cfs). Since May 9, West End Outlet operations have remained at 200 cfs. The East End Outlet operations began on May 14, 2025, at 150 cfs. When operating at full capacity, both outlets together can discharge up to 600 cfs.

Water quality and downstream channel capacity will continue to be closely monitored and will influence discharge rates as conditions evolve.

Recently, DWR Director Reice Haase and staff completed a tour of the Devils Lake outlet infrastructure. Following the tour, DWR hosted a public meeting of the Devils Lake Outlet Management Advisory Committee (DLOMAC) to gather stakeholder input that will help guide operational decisions moving forward.

The Devils Lake Basin Joint Water Resource District and Ramsey County Water Resource District passed a unanimous resolution of support, urging the Governor’s Office, DWR, and DLOMAC to operate both outlets at full capacity throughout the 2025 operational season.

In 2024, the West End Outlet discharged 68,328 acre-feet of water, while the East End Outlet discharged 44,751 acre-feet, with a total combined discharge of 113,079 acre-feet —marking the highest combined outflow since 2019.

“As we launch the 2025 outlet operations, our goal remains clear: to remove as much floodwater as possible from Devils Lake,” said DWR Director Reice Haase. “We’re committed to responsible and effective water management within the constraints of our infrastructure and environmental conditions.”

The Devils Lake West End Outlet was completed in 2005 and was expanded in 2010, followed by the East End Outlet in 2012 in response to the lake’s rising elevation.

DWR remains focused on managing Devils Lake discharges with transparency, efficiency, and stakeholder collaboration to protect surrounding communities and infrastructure.