SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Gov. Larry Rhoden recently signed a joint resolution which gives the Western Dakota Regional Water System (WDRWS) legislative approval for a Future Use Permit application.
The permit would allow the use of Missouri River water on the western half of the state. The next step in the process is final approval from South Dakota’s Water Management Board, the entity that issues Future Use Permits.
WDRWS believes the permit will be a critical tool for ensuring that water resources are available for long-term water development in South Dakota. It would allow up to 20,7765-acre-feet of water from the river to be utilized per year. That’s nearly seven billion gallons annually.
“The Missouri River is an abundant resource that flows through South Dakota. It is important that we claim what is available to us, before we find ourselves without enough water.” says Kristin Conzet, WDRWS Executive Director.
Future Use Permits greater than 10,000-acre-feet per year require legislative approval. The issuance of permits is carefully aligned with the state’s water management policies to balance future demands with current water supply.
Rapid City Sen. Helene Duhamel is the resolution’s prime sponsor. She also introduced Senate Bill 202 to create the water infrastructure development fund.
According to the WDRWS website, in 2024, South Dakota legislators and the Board of Water and Natural Resources approved $2.17 million dollars of ARPA grant funding to assist in the technical studies for the proposed project. In addition, Gov. Kristi Noem signed Senate Bill 16 which includes a $1 million grant for WDRWS to conduct a feasibility-level study and administration of the study.
Keloland has reported on this bill and the Missouri River water project before.
