DUSTIN OFFERDAHL – ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIAL CONTROLS SPECIALIST
For the past five years, Dustin Offerdahl has been part of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District team as an electronic Ccontrols specialist and Snake Creek Pumping Plant (SCPP) supervisor stationed at the SCPP in Coleharbor, N.D. If it sounds like a big job, that’s because it is!
The purpose of the SCPP is to lift irrigation, municipal and industrial water from Lake Sakakawea to Lake Audubon. The plant contains three vertical-shaft pumping units, each powered by an 8,000-horsepower motor. Each unit has two interchangeable pump bowl assemblies to cover a pumping head range of two to 76 feet. Offerdahl is responsible for the day-to-day operation, maintenance and surveillance of the pumping plant and associated equipment.
Some of his job responsibilities include monitoring and recording the water surface elevations of Lake Audubon and Lake Sakakawea, exercising pumps, gates and valves to ensure proper operation, maintain the pumping plant, electrical components, discharge pipes and associated facilities.
Offerdahl says his favorite job is pumping. “It’s fun to start up these giant pumps and watch the lake level come up to working elevation.”
For the past several years, emphasis has been made on upgrading the plant to newer technology and making the operations more efficient. “I also enjoy the many challenges that come with the maintenance and repair of an older, historic building,” Offerdahl says.
Offerdahl holds a North Dakota state masters electrician license gained from the knowledge passed down from his father in the electrical field. He is very family oriented, and enjoying watching his kids grow up. They spend most of their free time in the summer at the family lake cabin doing all the lake things! Offerdahl resides in Minot with his wife, Brittany, and two young children.
Offerdahl is proud to be involved with the entire Garrison Diversion team. “Our involvement gives us the ability to provide irrigation water to growers and provide recreational funds and services to area communities. We are providing part of the solution to many aspects of the surrounding area.”