USGS Dakota Water Science Center

This is an archived account and is not being updated. For the latest updates follow @USGS.

[USGS Dakota Water Science Center @USGS_DWSC]

SAVE THE DATE: April 16, 2026

The Western SD Hydrology Conference is partnering with SDAEP to launch a joint event under a new name:

Western SD Environmental & Hydrology Conference
Location: The Monument, Rapid City, SD

Submit Abstracts here: https://t.co/D82IVPeRSH

[USGS Dakota Water Science Center @USGS_DWSC]

Due to the federal government shutdown, this account is not being actively updated. For more information, please visit: https://t.co/iqhpsdymPe

[USGS Dakota Water Science Center @USGS_DWSC]

Happy Friday! We're celebrating an update to the stream gaging network this week - site 06463900, Antelope Creek near Mission, SD, has transitioned from a crest-stage gage to a full-time discharge monitoring site complete with a HIVIS camera. Check it out: https://t.co/qadbQhEJyg

[USGS Dakota Water Science Center @USGS_DWSC]

DWSC hydrologist Colton Medler gave a talk during a meeting for the Western Dakota Regional Water System today in Keystone, SD. He explained the recent report about hydrologic budgets and groundwater availability in the Black Hills area.
Read more here: https://t.co/yuHuDccUY4

[USGS Dakota Water Science Center @USGS_DWSC]

IT’S FALL, Y’ALL!
Even though it’s the first day of autumn, don’t expect a fall in streamflow from the Fall River near Hot Springs anytime soon. This perennial stream in the southern Black Hills will usually hover around 30 cfs all year long.
https://t.co/46RlsWeRAk

[USGS Water Resources @USGS_Water]

Ahoy! Thar be treasure in the deep but mind the flow! Me #USGS crew gets the latest on the water's ways... keepin' us safe. 🏴‍☠️🦜

Chart ye course - https://t.co/uXKzlh2fQL

#TalkLikeAPirateDay #FieldPhotoFriday #BePrepared #WaterData

[USGS Dakota Water Science Center @USGS_DWSC]

Flashback Friday: A Century of Precision

We’ve come a long way—but the mission is still the same.

Left: A USGS topographer in 1925.
Right: A USGS surveyor in 2025.

Different tools, same goal: mapping the landscape with precision.

[USGS Dakota Water Science Center @USGS_DWSC]

Field Photo Friday! DWSC technicians recently measured discharge, collected water samples, and calibrated equipment at Cheyenne R near Plainview (06438500) https://t.co/RXF9Iphte9. As you can see, water gets deep and fast in a hurry. Use caution when wading SD's scenic waters!

[USGS Dakota Water Science Center @USGS_DWSC]

HIVIS highlights
Whether your weekend plans involve boating on the Missouri River below Mandan, fishing the James River at Huron, or just taking a break from the bike path along Spearfish Creek - we hope you have a great time enjoying the beautiful water resources of the Dakotas!

[USGS Dakota Water Science Center @USGS_DWSC]

New DWSC publication alert! We are excited to announce the release of a comprehensive study that delves into the critical issues of water demand and availability in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Check out the full report here: https://t.co/Skdebz8DBl.

[USGS MD-DE-DC @USGS_MD_DE_DC]

We’ll see ourselves out.

Happy #Fathers Day!

#FathersDay #USGS #DadJokes #Humor #Science

[USGS Dakota Water Science Center @USGS_DWSC]

Spring heralds the start of a new round of water sampling, and our team couldn't be more excited! As we head outdoors to collect data and samples, this season brings new opportunities to collect vital data, monitor water quality, and track changes over time.

[USGS Dakota Water Science Center @USGS_DWSC]

Conference Countdown: Two Important Reminders

Conference Approaching - Register Now! Join us April 10 at the Monument in Rapid City for the Western SD Hydrology Conference. Register here: https://t.co/17Smi9utaH

Posters Due March 31! Submit posters here: https://t.co/TIcqbBzQPc

[USGS Dakota Water Science Center @USGS_DWSC]

The USGS Souris River streamgage (site 05124000) continuously monitors gage height and streamflow before the river crosses into Canada. On Feb. 26, our cameras captured a moose with her calves and the aurora borealis (northern lights) lighting up the sky!

https://t.co/WRXnAJeSGy

[USGS Dakota Water Science Center @USGS_DWSC]

New DWSC publication alert! Three of our staff members co-authored a new paper titled “Evaluating Drought Risk of the Red River of the North Basin Using Historical and Stochastic Streamflow Upstream from Emerson, Manitoba.” Follow the link to read more: https://t.co/Np8xnWYiTO

[USGS Water Resources @USGS_Water]

New WDFN feature! You can now switch between different data collection categories on one page. This video explains how to show daily vs continuous data on Monitoring Location Pages. For more information visit our blog: https://t.co/rDx1owHLkZ

[USGS Water Resources @USGS_Water]

You asked and we listened. On the WDFN State pages, you can now organize monitoring location by drainage basin. Under the map, select “HUC-06 Basin” option. For more updates visit: https://t.co/jvlmO3Kudw

[USGS Dakota Water Science Center @USGS_DWSC]

Registration is now open for the Western SD Hydrology Conference! Join us on April 10 at the Monument in Rapid City and spend the day learning from experts in hydrology and related fields.

Register now: https://t.co/6UucGenBD5

[USGS Water Resources @USGS_Water]

We ❤️ our followers and sharing the work we do!

A USGS Hydrologist, demonstrates how to make a low flow wading measurement using a flowtracker on the Heart River at Stark Bridge nr Judson, ND.

Get data: https://t.co/ST6SuZarjS ♥️

#FieldPhotoFriday #HappyValentinesDay #Data

[USGS Dakota Water Science Center @USGS_DWSC]

On Wednesday, two of our hydrologic technicians made their way to Boxelder Creek near Nemo (site 06422500). After chopping some ice to open up a section for a discharge measurement, they measured 6.45 cfs. Not a bad day to be out in the field (at least until the wind came up)!