Bartlett & West continues long‑standing partnership delivering critical water infrastructure for the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation

The Fort Berthold Indian Reservation is located within north central North Dakota. It is the home of the Three Affiliated Tribes, comprised of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Tribes. In the early 1950s, the Garrison Dam was constructed, causing a profound impact on the reservation when flood waters displaced members of the population and changed the landscape. Although a water system had been approved in the 1980s, minimal funding was allocated. In December 2000, Congress authorized the Dakota Water Resources Act (DWRA), which did not directly appropriate funds for the construction of the water system but did provide a provision for future appropriations. After the passage of the DWRA, the Tribe put out an advertisement for engineering services. Through the application and interview process, Bartlett & West was selected, and we have been providing engineering services to the Tribe ever since. This relationship, years in the making, illustrates the importance of becoming trusted partners for the communities we serve, and we are proud to be a trusted partner to them.

• Mandaree 2nd Elevated Tank: With increasing population and industry demands in the Mandaree area, FBRW has a major need for additional water storage. Bartlett & West assisted FBRW with the design, bidding and award of a new 500,000-gallon composite style elevated water tank with a maximum height of over 200 feet. Construction is well underway on the project with the tank shaft having been completed and work anticipated to start soon on the tank bowl construction. The tank is expected to be complete in early summer 2026.
• Mandaree Water Treatment Plant: Similar to the need for additional water storage in Mandaree, FBRW also has an urgent need to increase the finished water production rate in Mandaree. Bartlett & West again assisted the Tribe with the design, bidding and awarding for a new water treatment plant facility. Construction began on the new facility in spring 2025 with the major dirtwork having already been completed and work onsite now includes installation of site utilities and the building foundation. The facility is expected to be operational in early 2027.
• New Dragswolf Tank: The Four Bear Segment of the Fort Berthold Reservation serves as the Tribal government’s main hub and is also features many of the most important tourism attractions on the reservation. The Four Bears area has been served for many years with the existing Dragswolf Tank. However, the tank is nearing the end of its useful life and needs replacement. During winter 2024, Bartlett & West completed the design of the new tank facility and assisted FBRW in the solicitation of bids and selection of a contractor. Construction work began in fall 2024 with progress including the completion of the tank access road, inlet & outlet pipelines, and the construction of the tank foundation. 
• 2nd Twin Buttes Reservoir: Similar to other projects highlighted earlier in this summary, the Second Twin Buttes Tank is a project that has been pursued due to rapid growth and development in the Twin Buttes Segment of the reservation. This project was designed in late 2023 and Bartlett & West facilitated the bidding process and selection of a contractor. Work has gone well onsite with the tank being completed and put into operation in July 2025. The project has moved into the closeout phase with work beginning on the development of punch lists and other closeout related items.
• Office/Shop Building: The main operations facility of FBRW is currently undersized and in a developed area of the Four Bears Segment. This results in difficulties for FBRW and their staff in performing their job of operating and maintaining the FBRW system. Discussion of a new operations facility had been discussed for several years with the primary roadblocks being the availability of land to develop and funding for the new facility. Fortunately a suitable tract of land was identified and through Aging Infrastructure Funding administered by the Bureau of Reclamation FBRW was able to proceed with the project. Bartlett & West completed the project design in early 2025. Work progressed nicely onsite with the sitework mostly completed, building foundation installed and the precast concrete panels having been set. The project is well ahead of schedule and latest estimates show FBRW moving into their new facility in April 2026.
• Elbowoods Elevated Tank: Elbowoods is the primary medical campus on the reservation and is located within the New Town Segment. To support the development of the campus, onsite water storage was needed. Bartlett & West worked with FBRW and the Tribe’s medical staff to identify the needs of the campus and design a water storage tank. Design of the tank was completed in early 2024 with bidding taking place shortly after. Construction began in summer 2024 with progress including the completion of the tank access road, inlet/outlet pipeline and the construction of the tank foundation. Crews are now onsite beginning the erection of the 500,000-gallon pedestal spheroid tank with completion anticipated for early summer 2026.