State officials are taking steps to manage worsening drought conditions as much of South Dakota faces dry soil and below-average rainfall this spring.
The state’s acting chief water-rights engineer told the South Dakota Water Management Board that shutoff orders have already been issued to some junior water-rights holders along the Little Missouri River in northwestern South Dakota, where water flow has dropped below required levels.
Low-flow warning letters have also been sent to water users along several waterways, including Split Rock Creek in eastern South Dakota and Battle Creek, the Cheyenne River and Rapid Creek in the western part of the state. Officials emphasized the warnings are meant to alert users of declining water levels and are not formal shutoff orders.
State officials are also working with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to monitor water levels in Black Hills reservoirs.
Gov. Larry Rhoden has activated the state’s drought task force, which met earlier this month and will continue meeting regularly as conditions develop.
According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, about two-thirds of South Dakota is experiencing below-normal soil moisture, with conditions ranging from abnormally dry to severe or extreme drought.
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