Drought lowering water quality in stock ponds in South Dakota
7/2/2021 6:34:50 PM
CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
South Dakota
Butte County, SD
Harding County, SD
Start Date: 4/5/2021
- End Date: 6/30/2021
South Dakota livestock producers were already struggling with low grass growth, increasing insect populations, and now climbing salinity levels in stock ponds. Apart from drought, it is uncommon to see water salinity, measured in microsiemens per centimeter, higher than 3,000. Currently, some water has salinity over 10,000, although levels above 5,000 should be watched. Beyond 15,000 µS/cm is toxic for cattle.
Black Hills Pioneer (Spearfish, S.D.), June 30, 2021
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