Drought

Environment

Drought monitor shows improving conditions across South Dakota

SDPB News Staff

Recent widespread rainfall is starting to improve drought conditions across South Dakota.

The U.S. Drought Monitor released April 10, 2025 showing conditions in South Dakota.

Environment

Level of severe drought in South Dakota drops in latest monitor

SDPB News Staff

South Dakota is seeing reduced levels of drought severity, though widespread dry conditions are persisting across the state.

On some parts of the Missouri River, sandbars are closed to protect piping plovers, an endangered species that calls the river home.

Environment

Missouri River runoff forecast to remain below normal

SDPB News Staff

Runoff on the Missouri River Basin remains below average.

Environment

All of South Dakota currently facing drought conditions

SDPB News Staff

Drought conditions are persisting across South Dakota.

Environment

All South Dakota continues to face drought conditions

Jackson Dircks

The latest Drought Monitor shows the entirety of South Dakota is facing some degree of dryness.

Environment

Foresters urge caution in Hills: 'Fires spark faster than we can run'

C.J. Keene

The Black Hills is experiencing dryness levels unlike anything it’s seen in a decade. Now fire and forest officials have one message – take the warnings seriously.

Environment

West River drought conditions starting to raise concern

C.J. Keene

September was historically dry in South Dakota. Now, weather watchers are hoping for some precipitation before the ground freezes for the winter.

Environment

Western South Dakota experiences drought conditions

Ryan Bozer

In a reversal from this time last year, West River is the one experiencing drought, while those in East River remain saturated following historic rains and flooding.

A Drought Monitor map released April 30, 2024. Yellow indicates abnormally dry, while orange indicates moderate drought conditions.

Environment

Dry conditions recede in South Dakota following recent rainfalls

SDPB Staff

Recent rainfall has drastically improved South Dakota’s outlook on the Drought Monitor.

It’s a long way down to the low-water ramp at the west marina at Angostura, where water levels have dropped dramatically because of drought and irrigation needs

Environment

Drought conditions improve statewide, but persist in southeast

C.J. Keene

As the state tangles with on-again, off-again drought, there are indications conditions are improving going into 2024. However, the state isn’t out of the woods just yet.