PIERRE, (KCCR) — As Fort Pierre looks to the future and Congress for help securing its water future western South Dakota as a whole is in need of water security. South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson has introduced a bill to conduct a feasibility study for the Western Dakota Regional Water System…

The leader of a proposed water pipeline project told a U.S. House panel Thursday that delaying the next federal step toward bringing Missouri River water to western South Dakota poses a “growing water security risk” for the region, and a drought is making things worse.

The project area is one of the only major regions in the state without a reliable, long-term water supply, according to Kristin Conzet

A U.S. House committee hears testimony on a bill ordering a study done on the feasibility of using Missouri River Water for western South Dakota use.

The leader of a proposed water pipeline project told a U.S. House panel Thursday that delaying the next federal step toward bringing Missouri River water to western South Dakota poses a “growing water security risk” for the region, and a drought is making things worse.

The leader of a proposed water pipeline project told a U.S. House panel Thursday that delaying the next federal step toward bringing Missouri River water to western South Dakota poses a “growing water security risk” for the region, and a drought is making things worse.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson testified Thursday in support of his legislation aimed at advancing a major rural water project for western South Dakota.

I often tell my kids: if you don’t get started, you’ll never get finished. That is certainly true when it comes to water infrastructure for the next 100 years in our state.

The conceptual water treatment system is being developed by the WDRWS engineering team. As a majority of WDRWS Members use groundwater, fully treated water is planned for the system with a water treatment plant near the proposed intake in Lake Oahe.

The Western Dakota Regional Water System (WDRWS) kicked off a very active year in Washington as we continue advancing the federal legislation necessary to move forward. Our work in Congress is focused on securing authorization for a Bureau of Reclamation feasibility study that will evaluate the development of a municipal, rural, and industrial water supply from the Missouri River for western South Dakota.

Sen. Mortenson said: "I now think that might be the most important infrastructure project in our state is to start getting the state ready to meet its federal match. The Feds always provide 70-80% of that money. When you're talking about a project that large that serves that many people - including our Tribal areas, particularly Rosebud and Pine Ridge - we got to be ready with a significant amount of money."

Warm, dry winter and extreme wind gusts fuel fire danger and force cattle producers to weigh difficult decisions

Proposals include money for roads near Air Force base, water projects, grants for nonprofits serving abuse victims

Drought conditions are worsening across South Dakota, with moderate drought now showing up in parts of the southeast and southwest, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor update. About 29% of the state is rated abnormally dry, with 18.6% in moderate drought.

South Dakota U.S. Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds are supporting a bill that would bring a proposed water initiative for the western side of the state closer to reality.

State Senator Helene Duhamel and U.S. Congressman Dusty Johnson give their take on a potential west river water pipeline

Fort Pierre did join on as a member of the Western Dakota Regional Water System. The system is a proposals to pipe Missouri River water to western South Dakota, similar to what Mid Dakota...

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.