As producers and homeowners begin fall digging projects, such as tile drainage, a new fence or even landscape projects in the yard, they all have an important call to make.

Angie Johnson, North Dakota State University Extension farm and ranch safety specialist, urges farmers, ranchers and homeowners to put safety first.

"When it comes to digging, what you can't see underground can be the most dangerous," says Johnson. “The ground beneath you may contain buried electric, gas, water or communication lines. To avoid hitting these lines during a digging project that you are tackling yourself, take the time to locate underground utilities before digging starts. It's a simple step that protects lives, prevents costly damage and keeps your project moving safely."

In North Dakota, it’s the law to call 8-1-1 or submit an online ticket before starting any underground project. Submitting a locate request is free for homeowners and landowners, and utility operators mark the approximate location of their underground facilities at no cost to the person requesting the locate.

“North Dakota law defines excavation very broadly and includes activities such as digging, grading, scraping, trenching, drilling, augering and plowing,” says Ryan Schmaltz, director of public relations and education for North Dakota One Call. “While some activities have limited exemptions based on the type of work or depth of excavation, when in doubt, the safest approach is to submit a locate request before disturbing the ground.”

Don't let an invisible hazard become a visible emergency.

Calling 8-1-1 or submitting an online locate ticket at least two full business days before beginning a project gives utility companies enough time to mark their underground lines with colored flags. Utility line services are required to mark the locations of their underground facilities at no cost.

The flags placed by the utility service are valid for 21 days. If the digging project does not take place within the 21-day period, a new ticket must be submitted.

To place an online ticket, log on to https://ndonecall.com/homeowners/ and click on the “Online Ticket” button. To call in a ticket, dial 8-1-1 and follow the verbal instructions.

Be prepared with the following information:

• Name and contact information, including phone number and physical address
• Location of the work (address or legal description if no address exists)
• City, and whether the project is in city limits
• Excavation type, including depth, use of explosives or tunnel/boring
• Site identification (marking out where the digging will take place)
• Type of work being conducted

Any private underground lines, such as sprinkler systems, electric lines after the utility meter or lines going to fire pits, are not included in the North Dakota One Call’s free locate system. The owner of the private line is responsible for determining the location of those lines. North Dakota One Call offers an online directory of private line locators to contact: https://ndonecall.com/resources-education/private-line-locator-directory/.

If an excavation company is hired for a project that requires digging, it is the excavation company's responsibility to place the 8-1-1 ticket.

“Every year, damages to underground utility lines occur because someone didn’t know what was below the surface,” says Schmaltz. “No matter how big or small your project is, taking a few minutes to contact 8-1-1 before you dig is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself, your property and the essential services we all rely on.”

Agricultural and homeowner “do-it-yourself” digging projects are no exception.

"Farmers know what's above the ground affects the harvest, but what's below the ground can affect everyone's safety," says Johnson. "A few minutes of planning can prevent a lifetime of regret."

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Aug. 6, 2026

Source: Angie Johnson, 701-231-1873, angela.b.johnson@ndsu.edu

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu