Water-resources appraisal of the Lower Brule Indian Reservation in central South Dakota

Water-Resources Investigations Report 95-4116

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Abstract

The Lower Brule Indian Reservation covers an area of about 404 square miles. Agriculture, primarily livestock and crop production, is the major industry. In 1992, about 5,900 acres were irrigated by the Tribe and about 3,800 other acres either were being irrigated or had State permits for irrigation. Precipitation averages about 17.4 inches per year. Diversions to the reservation from the Missouri River average about 17,000 acre-feet per year. Evapotranspiration from the land surface of the reservation averages about 17.5 inches per year. Missouri River reservoirs adjacent to the reservation normally store about 5 million acre-feet of water. Inflow of the Missouri River to the reservation is estimated to be about 18.3 million acre-feet per year. The dissolved-solids concen- tration of Missouri River reservoir water adjacent to the reservation averages slightly less than 500 milligrams per liter. All streams on the reservation other than the Missouri River are ephemeral. In 1993, 593 stock ponds and dugouts were located on ephemeral streams. Based on visits to about 10 percent of the stock ponds and dugouts, an estimated 75 percent of the ponds and dugouts were dry, overgrown with vegetation, silted in, or had breached or leaky dams. Ground-water supplies from surficial deposits are small and are present only along major streams and at some places along the Missouri River. Water suitable for livestock and some domestic use can be obtained throughout the reservation from artesian wells that tap the Dakota Sandstone or other deeper bedrock aquifers. The major water use on the reservation is for irrigation. In 1990, slightly more than 17,000 acre- feet was used to irrigate land within the reservation.

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Report

Publication Subtype:

USGS Numbered Series

Title:

Water-resources appraisal of the Lower Brule Indian Reservation in central South Dakota