South Dakota's U.S. Senators are introducing a bill in Congress to study the possibility of delivering Missouri River water to West River communities.

And just as we in North Dakota are pursuing a Red River pipeline to our east, South Dakota has ambitious plans for a number of large projects with expanded Missouri River water use to more of their area across the entire state. South Dakota may also, like North Dakota, be able to someday provide every county, every community, and every water user in their state with Missouri River water.

Sen. Helene Duhamel sees that $14 million as an opportunity for a project she has long advocated for - the West Dakota Regional Water Pipeline to provide water from the Missouri River to western South Dakota. ‘So this time, this session in particular, we have an opportunity as legislators to solve big problems, $14.4 million sitting there. Ding, ding, ding, ding, water for thirsty western South Dakota. We need to start saving. We know that's a $2 billion project. There's already been a Lewis and Clark pipeline to Sioux Falls. It's our turn,’ said Sen. Helene Duhamel, R-District 32.

Across the Dakotas, teams are combining design, technology and collaboration to deliver impactful projects.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) -State Senator Helene Duhamel says a recent USGS study supports the need for a future pipeline to bring water from the Missouri River to the Black Hills region.

PACTOLA RESERVOIR, S.D. – Water levels in this major source of drinking water for Rapid City were so low this spring that city leaders implemented water-use restrictions weeks earlier than normal and the state delayed installation of public boat docks.

(Rapid City, SD) — A new federal study finds that water demand in South Dakota’s Black Hills is outpacing supply, raising concerns about long-term sustainability.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - A new study has found that water supply for the Black Hills area is not keeping up with demand. The study at hand was carried out by the U.S. Geological Survey. South Dakota News Watch’s Bart Pfankuch, who first reported on the results of the study, tells KOTA Territory News that the study found aquifers are not refilling at the rate to support growth in the area.

PACTOLA RESERVOIR, S.D. – Water levels in this major source of drinking water for Rapid City were so low this spring that city leaders implemented water-use restrictions weeks earlier than normal and the state delayed installation of public boat docks.

Not much change in the weekly South Dakota Drought Monitor. The data, which is updated each Thursday, shows roughly 68% of the state is completely drought-free.

FORT PIERRE, (KCCR) — The Fort Pierre City Council approved a resolution Monday that enacts voluntary water restrictions though the summer of 2025.

In 2023, the town of Fort Pierre became a member of the Western Dakota Regional Water System, the group working to create the West Dakota Water Development District.

Everyone is welcome to join Western Dakota Regional Water System at one of their open houses to learn more about their plan to bring more water to West River communities.

PIERRE, (KCCR) — May has been a rainy, dreary month, but it has done wonders for improving drought conditions across South Dakota. The moisture has created two areas of no drought. 

PIERRE, (KCCR) — The Western Dakota Regional Water System is hosting a trio of open house events to give area residents a look inside what the proposed water transport pipeline would do.

WATERTOWN, S.D. (KWAT)–As we head into Mother’s Day weekend, South Dakota’s Drought Monitor map is showing little change from the previous week.

The Pennington County Board of Commissioners meeting on May 7, 2025, featured a significant presentation by Kristen Conzett, the new executive director of the Western Dakota Regional Water System.

This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency...

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - Water is one of the most important resources our planet has to offer. Still, with an influx of people moving into the Black Hills and even more expected in the coming years, that resource is stretched further.

Due to water levels in Pactola Reservoir, the City of Rapid City is implementing water restrictions a month early — starting May 1.