Shallow Wells Running Dry Across Western South Dakota as Drought Enters Worst Stretch in Memory

Shallow wells running dry across western South Dakota as drought enters worst stretch in memory

Years of low snowpack and scarce rainfall have pushed underground aquifers to critically low levels, forcing rural residents and ranchers to haul water from the few remaining public fill stations.

Wells drying up at South Dakota homes and ranches due to heat and drought

Each morning this summer, Gordon and Connie Howie have awoken on their cattle ranch in central Pennington County and turned on the kitchen faucet, unsure if any water will come out.