PIERRE, S.D. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved South Dakota’s 2026 Surface Water Quality Assessment Report, the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) announced.
The report, now available through a new interactive Story Map, highlights progress in protecting the state’s lakes, rivers, and streams. Among the findings, 38 waterbodies, including 14 streams and 24 lakes, were removed from the impaired waters list after meeting water quality standards.
The assessment also identifies 198 waterbodies or segments that require Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development to address pollution concerns and guide future restoration efforts.
DANR said it will continue working with local, state, and federal partners to improve water quality statewide. The approved 2026 Surface Water Quality Assessment Story Map is available on the DANR website under Reports and Publications.
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