Michael D. Wells

State of Missouri

Michael D. Wells was named the Missouri Department of Natural Resources deputy director, in charge of water resources, by Department Director Doyle Childers during the department’s 2005 reorganization. In this position, he represents the department and the state in all interstate water issues. In addition he oversees department staff responsible for drought and flood assessment, the state water plan, interstate river flow analysis, groundwater and surface water assessments, water well issues, water supply analysis, and dam and reservoir safety. He also oversees the department’s Soil and Water Conservation Program.

Wells, who joined the Department of Natural Resources in June 2001, previously served as the deputy division director and chief of water resources in the department’s Geological Survey and Resource Assessment Division, which is now the Division of Geology and Land Survey. In January 2005 he was appointed by Governor Matt Blunt as the acting department director prior to the appointment of Director Childers. Wells represents Missouri on many boards and commissions, including the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association and the Soil and Water Districts Commission.

Prior to joining the department, Wells worked for 34 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. During his career with the NRCS, he worked in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri, primarily with the agencies’ water resources programs. He was on active duty for two years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reaching the rank of captain. He served a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam. Wells has a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural engineering from Arkansas State University and a master of science in environmental engineering from the University of Arkansas.

For comments or questions about this website, please contact: usiecr@ecr.gov. This page was last updated 7/17/2019.