RAPID CITY, S.D. – Years of drought have nearly emptied Bear Butte Lake, leaving the popular recreation area with just a few inches of water and eliminating its entire fish population.
Park officials say the lake has been shrinking for the past three summers due to persistent dry conditions across western South Dakota. Because Bear Butte Lake relies solely on rainfall and snowmelt runoff rather than a flowing stream, it has been especially vulnerable to drought.
The loss of water has ended fishing and other water-based recreation at the lake, which once supported walleye, northern pike, crappie, and channel catfish. The dry conditions have also affected wildlife, as the lake serves as a migratory bird sanctuary and an important habitat for waterfowl.
Officials say the drought’s impact extends beyond the lake, with many livestock ponds across the region also running dry.
Bear Butte Lake dried up during a previous drought in 2007 and 2008 before recovering after heavy snowfall and spring rains. Wildlife officials say they plan to restock fish when water levels eventually return, but until significant moisture reaches the region, the lake bed is expected to remain dry.
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