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Drought-related shutoff orders and alerts issued to water right holders
PIERRE, S.D. - Drought conditions in southwestern South Dakota have forced the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to issue shutoff orders to approximately 31 junior water right permit holders along the Cheyenne River and its tributaries from Angostura Reservoir to the Belle Fourche River.
The decision to issue the shutoff orders came after Cheyenne River flows from Angostura to the Belle Fourche River confluence dropped to a level that maintaining water flow for domestic use, which includes livestock watering, had become a concern.
This shutoff order is in addition to a similar order that went into effect this spring for water right holders along the Cheyenne River from the Wyoming border to Angostura Reservoir.
“State water law prioritizes the two highest uses of water in our streams and underground aquifers as being domestic use and uses of the most senior water right permit holders,” said DENR Secretary Steve Pirner. “This area of the state continues to suffer the effects of the long term drought and stream flows in the Cheyenne River have dropped to the point that DENR must act to protect those two highest uses.”
DENR and the Water Management Board are authorized by the state legislature to issue water right permits to people who want to put water to beneficial use, such as irrigation, municipal water supply, or commercial use. Because domestic use of water is the highest priority, domestic use of water is not subject to shutoff orders. However, South Dakota water law is also based on the prior appropriation doctrine. This means the most senior water rights have priority to available water supplies over more junior water rights.
For more information on river flows in South Dakota, visit http://sd.water.usgs.gov/ and click on “Real-Time Water Data.” Information can also be obtained by calling DENR's Water Right Program at 1-800-GET-DENR or visiting www.state.sd.us/denr/des/waterrights/waterprg.htm.
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