Before we spend millions on flood control, let’s remember thousands of years

By: Brad Johnson

Outlets: South Dakota Searchlight

Published: July 20, 2026

Words: 840

Last Updated: 1 month ago

Body Text Preview

Twenty-seven years ago, the federal government reached a startling conclusion about one of South Dakota’s most unusual watersheds.

After years of research, the Northern Great Plains Water Resources Research Center concluded that soil surveys indicated the Waubay Lakes Chain in northeastern South Dakota probably had not spilled naturally into the Big Sioux River with any significant volume or duration since the glacial age.

That conclusion wasn’t drawn from a few decades of rainfall records. It …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us