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Dakota Water Science Center

Welcome to the USGS Dakota Water Science Center!  Please use these pages to explore the hydrologic data and scientific investigations we conduct on water resources of North and South Dakota.

News

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Public Invitation: Learn the Latest on Your Water Resources in the Dakotas

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Media Alert: Public Invitation: Remembering the 1972 Flood, Planning for the Future of Water Resources

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Bakken Shale unconventional oil and gas production has not caused widespread hydrocarbon contamination to date in groundwater used for water supply

Publications

Method for identification of reservoir regulation within U.S. Geological Survey streamgage basins in the Central United States using a decadal dam impact metric

Researchers routinely study streamflow data to understand the effects of natural climate variability and anthropogenic climate change, and to develop methods for estimating streamflow at ungaged locations. These studies require streamflow data that are not modified or largely altered by other anthropogenic activities, such as reservoirs or diversions. This report discusses a method for identifying
Authors
Mackenzie K. Marti, Karen R. Ryberg

Research needs identified for potential effects of energy development activities on environmental resources of the Williston Basin, United States

Unconventional oil and gas development that uses horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing is rapidly changing the landscape and exponentially increasing oil production within the Williston Basin, especially in North Dakota and eastern Montana. The activities associated with unconventional oil and gas development are complex and wide reaching and include, in part, road and well-pad construction
Authors
Gregory C. Delzer, Max Post van der Burg

Hydrogeologic characteristics of Hourglass and New Years Cave Lakes at Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota, from water-level and water-chemistry data, 2015–21

Jewel Cave National Monument is in the western Black Hills of South Dakota and contains an extensive cave network, including various subterranean water bodies (cave lakes) that are believed to represent the regionally important Madison aquifer. Recent investigations have sought to improve understanding of hydrogeologic characteristics of cave lakes in Jewel Cave. The U.S. Geological Survey, in coo
Authors
Colton J. Medler

Science

Western South Dakota Hydrology Conference

The 2023 Western South Dakota Hydrology Conference will be held on April 20, 2023, at the Monument, Rapid City, SD. Registration will open on February 13, 2023. Previous years' program and abstracts are available from the "Multimedia" tab on this page.
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Western South Dakota Hydrology Conference

The 2023 Western South Dakota Hydrology Conference will be held on April 20, 2023, at the Monument, Rapid City, SD. Registration will open on February 13, 2023. Previous years' program and abstracts are available from the "Multimedia" tab on this page.
Learn More

Flood-Frequency Analysis in the Midwest: Addressing Potential Nonstationary Annual Peak-Flow Records

Period of Project: 2021 -Study Area: MidwestCooperating Agency: Transportation Pooled Fund
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Flood-Frequency Analysis in the Midwest: Addressing Potential Nonstationary Annual Peak-Flow Records

Period of Project: 2021 -Study Area: MidwestCooperating Agency: Transportation Pooled Fund
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Souris River Basin

Information and products on the Souris River Basin.
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Souris River Basin

Information and products on the Souris River Basin.
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