Washington, DC —
Senator John Thune today applauded the Army Corps of Engineers decision not to conduct a spring pulse this month due to the continued low water levels along the Missouri River system.
"This is good news in the ongoing issue of management of the Missouri River," Thune said. "The water levels of the Missouri River in the last several years have hindered recreational industries due to severe drought conditions. Today's announcement is good news for the tourism industry in the state as well as for the thousands of South Dakotans who rely on the Missouri River.
"In addition, this is also good news from a water supply standpoint. Last year, as a result of the multi-year drought that our state has been experiencing, the Mni Waste' water intake that provides drinking water to the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation and 14,000 residents of South Dakota was in jeopardy of running dry. Thankfully, Senator Johnson and I were able to convince the Corps to use emergency authority to ensure that the intake would not run dry. We secured millions in federal funding for this project. I applaud the Corps for their decision, which recognizes the various needs along the Missouri River, and hopefully there will be considerable snow-pack in Montana this year to replenish water levels throughout our region."
On May 1 the Corps will decide whether to conduct a May pulse based on water storage levels.
"This is good news in the ongoing issue of management of the Missouri River," Thune said. "The water levels of the Missouri River in the last several years have hindered recreational industries due to severe drought conditions. Today's announcement is good news for the tourism industry in the state as well as for the thousands of South Dakotans who rely on the Missouri River.
"In addition, this is also good news from a water supply standpoint. Last year, as a result of the multi-year drought that our state has been experiencing, the Mni Waste' water intake that provides drinking water to the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation and 14,000 residents of South Dakota was in jeopardy of running dry. Thankfully, Senator Johnson and I were able to convince the Corps to use emergency authority to ensure that the intake would not run dry. We secured millions in federal funding for this project. I applaud the Corps for their decision, which recognizes the various needs along the Missouri River, and hopefully there will be considerable snow-pack in Montana this year to replenish water levels throughout our region."
On May 1 the Corps will decide whether to conduct a May pulse based on water storage levels.