Merri Mooridian of Jamestown and Kip Kovar of Carrington were presented with the Water Wheel Award during the 57th annual Joint North Dakota Water Convention and Irrigation Workshop. The award was presented virtually Dec. 10 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The North Dakota Water Users Association and North Dakota Water Resource Districts Association recognized Mooridian for her dedication and professionalism in developing the state’s water resources.
“Merri’s work with Garrison Diversion and the Red River Valley Water Supply Project will have lasting positive impacts on the people of North Dakota,” said Lance Gaebe, executive vice president of the North Dakota Water Users Association. “We are proud to recognize Merri with a Water Wheel Award.”
Mooridian joined the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District in 2003 as assistant communications director. She was then promoted to administrative officer where her responsibilities included Garrison Diversion financials, the Matching Recreation Grant Program and promoting the Red River Valley Water Supply Project. Her dedication to the Red River Valley Water Supply Project earned her appointment to deputy program manager for Red River Valley Water Supply Project Administration in 2014.
The Jamestown native received her bachelor’s degree in business administration and computer information systems from Valley City State University and a master’s degree from the University of Mary.
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Mooridian and her husband, Jeff, have two grown children.
Kovar started as an engineer for the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District in 2001 and was promoted to district engineer in 2010. He currently leads all Garrison Diversion engineering and operations and maintenance efforts, overseeing 22 operations and maintenance staff members.
“Kip has dedicated his professional life toward development of water programs to benefit the state of North Dakota and its citizens,” Gaebe said. “The McClusky Canal Irrigation Project and the Red River Valley Water Supply Project are examples of Kip’s professional work. We are pleased to recognize him with a Water Wheel Award.”
The McClusky Canal Irrigation Project near Turtle Lake encompasses more than 7,000 acres. The irrigation projects use Missouri River water to benefit the people of North Dakota and fulfill an original purpose of the Garrison Diversion Project.
A graduate of the University of North Dakota, Kovar and his wife, Jozie, live with their three children in Carrington.
