SD Water Science Center: Welcome Page

Water Resources of South Dakota

Welcome to the USGS Web page for water resources in South Dakota. Here, you will find information on South Dakota's rivers and streams. You will also find information on ground water, water quality, and many other topics. The USGS operates the most extensive satellite network of stream-gaging stations in South Dakota, many of which form the backbone of flood-warning systems.

Realtime Streamflow

Stream gage levels in South Dakota, relative to 30 year average.

Current Activities

Project Highlights

Madison Aquifer Study in Rapid City Area

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the city of Rapid City have had a long-term cooperative relationship to conduct hydrologic investigations to better understand the complex system that supplies water to Rapid City and the surrounding area. The objectives of the study include maintaining a water-level monitoring network, conducting aquifer tests, analyzing ground-water flow paths using environmental and anthropogenic tracers, compiling and evaluating water budgets, and developing conceptual and numerical models of the aquifers.

Several reports are available for this project, including: (1) A conceptual model of the Madison and Minnelusa aquifers in the Rapid City area, and (2) Analysis of ground-water flow in the Madison aquifer using fluorescent dyes. Additional information about this project also is available.

Other highlights are:

Featured Publication

Originally published in 2002, the "Atlas of Water Resources in the Black Hills Area, South Dakota" was recently reprinted. The atlas summarizes the results of the Black Hills Hydrology Study that assessed the quantity, quality, and distribution of surface water and ground water in the Black Hills area. The atlas is an oversized (11 x 14 inches) book with 120 full-color glossy pages, and was written for the general public. Purchase information

USGS in the News

Recent moisture helps replenish aquifers (May 13, 2008)
High Plains aquifer water quality varies from state to state (April 24, 2008)
Bush science adviser checks out EROS (April 19, 2008)
Assessment of oil in Bakken Formation (April 16, 2008) USGS Fact Sheet on Bakken resources
Moisture will increase stream flows (April 12, 2008)
Bush science advisor to speak in Rapid City (April 6, 2008)
USGS to assess water sources (March 29, 2008)
Finding new sources of water in Aberdeen (March 5, 2008)
Slaking the Hub City's thirst (March 4, 2008)

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