Unified Interior Regions
South Dakota
Surface water and groundwater provide important water supplies in South Dakota. Major rivers include the Big Sioux, James, Cheyenne, and Missouri Rivers. Key aquifers include the Dakota, Madison, Minnelusa, and Big Sioux aquifers. The Dakota Water Science Center has many studies that focus on these resources as well various other national and international studies.
States L2 Landing Page Tabs
Bedrock Groundwater Levels for Selected Wells located in Western Pennington County
Bedrock Groundwater Levels for Selected Wells located in Western Pennington County
Crow Creek Surface-Water Quality Study
Project Period: 2009-2011
Cooperators: Crow Creek Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Project Chief: Joyce Williamson
Chemistry of Uncontaminated Alluvial Deposits of the Cheyenne and Belle Fourche Rivers, South Dakota
Project Period: 2009-10
Cooperators: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Project Chief: John Stamm
Missouri River Bank Erosion on the Lower Brule Reservation
Project Period: 2011- ongoing
Cooperator: Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, Oglala Sioux Tribe
Project Chief: Ryan Thompson
Application of Paleoflood Survey Techniques for the Black Hills of South Dakota
Project Period: 2008-2010
Cooperators: South Dakota Department of Transportation, Federal Emergency Management Agency, West Dakota Water Development District, City of Rapid City
Project Chief: Dan Driscoll
Analysis of Ground-Water Resources in the Aberdeen area
Project Period: 2007-2010
Cooperator: City of Aberdeen
Project Chief: Larry Putnam
Stormwater Monitoring in Rapid City
Project Period: 2008-current
Cooperator: City of Rapid City
Project Chief: Galen Hoogestraat
Hydrologic Information for Evaluation of Reservoir Management Strategies for Sheridan Lake to Enhance Fish Habitat in Spring Creek
Project Period: 2007-2008
Cooperator: South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks
Project Chief: Dan Driscoll
Madison Aquifer Study in the Rapid City Area
Project Period: 2000-2008
Cooperator: City of Rapid City
Project Chief: Larry Putnam
National Rivers and Streams Assessment in South Dakota
Project Period: 2008-2009
Cooperator: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Project Chief: Kathy Neitzert
Statewide Flood-Frequency Analyses for Streamflow Gaging Stations in South Dakota
Project Period: 2002-2008
Cooperator: South Dakota Department of Transportation
Project Chief: Dan Driscoll
Sensitivity of Ground Water to Contamination in Lawrence County, South Dakota
Sensitivity of Ground Water to Contamination in Lawrence County, South Dakota
An Introduction to Suomi-NPP NASA VIIRS Data Products
This video provides an introduction to new land data products from the joint National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) satellite sensor aboard the Suomi-National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP). The Suomi-NPP NASA VIIRS data products discussed in the
Beetle Damage in the Black Hills
Mountain pine beetles are about the size of a grain of rice, so of course we can’t see them from space in satellite images. What is visible is what the beetles can do to a pine forest. The washed-out pink color indicates large areas of standing dead or damaged trees.
Image of the Week - Lake Thompson
Many lakes in South Dakota’s Prairie Pothole Region are expanding.
Lake Thompson in eastern South Dakota is one that has displayed remarkable change in recent decades.
Each week, the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center highlights a new satellite image(s) featuring striking changes in the Earth's surface. Our images come from locations
AppEEARS
This short video provides a quick look at the Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS). AppEEARS provides a simple and efficient way to subset, transform, and visualize geospatial data distributed from a variety of federal archives. AppEEARS can be accessed by visiting https
Lake Thompson, South Dakota
Many lakes in South Dakota's Prairie Pothole Region are expanding. Lake Thompson in eastern South Dakota is one that has displayed remarkable change in recent decades.
Verification of Reference Elevations at USGS streamgage in SD
Student hydrologic technician Jackie Eldredge holding the rod over one of the known reference points at streamgage 06404998, Grace Coolidge Creek near Game Lodge near Custer, SD. One step in ensuring consistent streamflow data is verifying that the reference elevation at the streamgage stays consistent and that any changes are documented. All of the USGS streamgages have
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Reading Elevation of a Known Reference Point in SD
Hydrologic technician Kammy Durham reading the elevation of a known reference point at streamgage 06404998, Grace Coolidge Creek near Game Lodge near Custer, SD. One step in ensuring consistent streamflow data is verifying that the reference elevation at the streamgage stays consistent and that any changes are documented. All of the USGS streamgages have multiple reference
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Daily Operations of Landsat 7
What it takes each day to keep Landsat 7 operating smoothly. Hear the stories from inside the L7 Mission Operation Center.
Water-Quality Sampling at Ellsworth Air Force Base
Hydrologic Technician Kammy Durham collecting water-quality samples from a well at Ellsworth Air Force Base for analysis.
Groundwater-Level Measurement at Ellsworth Air Force Base
Student hydrologist Todd Anderson assisting with water level measurements and purging of a well at a research location at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. The groundwater level is measured and the well is purged prior to collecting water-quality samples from wells.
Groundwater-Level Measurement at Ellsworth Air Force Base
Student hydrologist Wyatt Tatge assisting with water level measurements and purging of a well at a research location at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. The groundwater level is measured and the well is purged prior to collecting water-quality samples from wells.
Discharge Measurement on Moreau River near Faith (06359500)
Hydrologic technician Sarah Davis preparing for a discharge measurement of the Moreau River near Faith, SD (streamgage 06359500). Sarah is ensuring that the meter and weight enter into the river properly. During high flows, the USGS uses a tractor to assist in the discharge measurement where other technology like acoustics will not work due to the high sediment within the
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The City of Sioux Falls and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) are conducting a state-of-the-art groundwater survey this fall. Beginning this week, CGG Canada Services, who is under contract with the City, will begin flying a helicopter over the Big Sioux Aquifer to collect, record, and map its geophysical measurements.
The U.S. Geological Survey and NASA will honor their 25-year science partnership and ongoing advancements in land remote sensing at a ceremony in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Thursday.
Three tiny fish larvae that were captured by U.S. Geological Survey scientists in May 2014 have just been confirmed to be pallid sturgeon. These new genetic identifications add to mounting evidence that critically endangered pallid sturgeon spawned successfully in the Lower Missouri River downstream of Gavins Point Dam, South Dakota.
New wind energy facilities placed in prime wildlife habitat in North and South Dakota can influence the distribution of several species of grassland birds for years after construction, including species whose populations are in serious decline.
The drainage of small wetlands can decrease wildlife habitat and may contribute to flooding in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR), according to a recent U.S. Geological Survey study.
Wetland channels constructed in downtown Rapid City, South Dakota, effectively reduced many pollutants in stormwater runoff, according to a recent U.S. Geological Survey report.
Aldo V. (Skip) Vecchia, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist, will be awarded the 2015 Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award for his outstanding efforts mentoring junior staff.
U.S. Geological Survey streamflow gages are recording major flooding on the White River and Cheyenne River as the result of recent snow and rain. Field crews are measuring streamflow on the White River and the Cheyenne River and minor flooding at various sites throughout western South Dakota
MENLO PARK, Calif.— Smartphones and other personal electronic devices could, in regions where they are in widespread use, function as early warning systems for large earthquakes according to newly reported research.
MENLO PARK, California — Los teléfonos móviles y otros dispositivos electrónicos personales podrían ayudar en las regiones donde se encuentran en uso generalizado, y pueden funcionar como sistemas de alerta para terremotos mayor según la nueva investigación científica recien publicada.
Media and the public are invited to attend a free meeting and field trips about South Dakota water issues on April 15 and 16 in Rapid City.
The presence of non-native plant species is significantly greater adjacent to oil well pads than in non-developed areas of the Williston Basin, according to a first-of-its-kind U.S. Geological Survey study for this area.
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Locations
Dakota Water Science Center- Huron Programs Office
Phone: (605) 352-4241
Fax: (605) 352-4304
Dakota Water Science Center- Rapid City
Phone: (605) 394-3200
Fax: (605) 355-4523
Dakota Water Science Center- Pierre Field Office
Phone: (605) 224-8440
Fax: (605) 224-8478
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
custserv@usgs.gov
Phone: 800-252-4547
Yankton, South Dakota Field Research Station
Phone: 605-665-9217