Black Hills Snow Survey paints grim picture for ongoing drought

Posted:

By Brad Sugden, Reporter - email

Last March was one of the driest on record, Rapid City and the much of the surrounding area didn't get any precipitation.

Surprisingly, by this time last year, the Black Hills managed to receive above average moisture.

But, this year, after another warm and dry winter, the Black Hills weren't as fortunate.

The Black Hills March Snow Survey Report is in, and no surprise, the news isn't good.

If the 22 inches of snow melts at the Upper Spearfish site, which is 25 miles southwest of Lead, yYou would find more than 5 inches of water. That's about a quarter inch less than normal.

But, other locations in the Black Hills, such as Ditch Creek just south of Deerfield, have half their average water content, and only 10 inches of snow on the ground.

Below average precipitation and snow water equivalent means we probably won't have to worry about spring flooding, but obviously its bad news for an area already fighting a drought, and in the Black Hills, the dry conditions could make for another devastating fire season.

So far this March, precipitation has been below average, except in the Bear Lodge Mountains in Wyoming, where precipitation has been average.

Local News - KOTA TerritoryLocal News KOTA TerritoryMore>>
Rapid City group brings awareness about disabilities
Rapid City group brings awareness about disabilities
Do you think you can rock a disability? That's what one group in Rapid City wants to know. It's an event sponsored by the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities. From yoga, to wheel chair basketball,
Do you think you can rock a disability? That's what one group in Rapid City wants to know. It's an event that brings awareness about disabilities.
What do KOTA territory monuments, goats, and snakes have in common?
What do KOTA territory monuments, goats, and snakes have in common?
The tourists are here. "Bus tours are incredible this year. We've had so many more than normal," said Jadwiga Ziolkowski. For tourism–based businesses in KOTA territory, like Crazy Horse Memorial,
So no matter where tourists go in KOTA territory, tourism–based businesses aim to please.
U.S. Chamber hosts job fair aimed at employing veterans
U.S. Chamber hosts job fair aimed at employing veterans
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce along with some KOTA Territory business held an event aimed at employing veterans. The event was called Hiring Our Heroes, a hiring fair for veterans and military spouses.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce along with some KOTA Territory business held an event aimed at employing veterans.
Danes command the hills in Golden Coyote training
Danes command the hills in Golden Coyote training
by Jack Siebold, MyTown editor For more than a week, 35-hundred soldiers, mostly American but also a smattering of other nationalities, have been honing their combat skills in the Black Hills in the National
Danish Home Guard and American National Guard soldiers learn they can work in small units despite being separated by geography and culture.
Summer Nights Parking closures to start later in the afternoon
Summer Nights Parking closures to start later in the afternoon
Parking downtown on Thursday afternoon in Rapid City can be a bit tricky because of the Summer Nights Festival. Starting this week, people will now be allowed to park on 7th street and Saint Joseph street
Starting this week, people will now be allowed to park on 7th street and Saint Joseph street until 2:30 p.m. Previously, the parking in these areas had been closed earlier in the afternoon.
State board considers renaming places with offensive names
State board considers renaming places with offensive names
Story courtesy of Mark Roper, KSFY, Sioux Falls.Sculptor Porter Williams works to preserve African American history and says the word Negro is part of that history. "I've talked to a lot of black people
South Dakota state board considers renaming places with offensive names.
Suspect shot by officers near New Underwood is expected to recover
Suspect shot by officers near New Underwood is expected to recover
A man shot by law enforcement officers following a chase in rural Pennington County is expected to recover. Travis Ross, 43, was shot by two Pennington County deputies and a highway patrol officer after
A man shot by law enforcement officers following a chase in rural Pennington County is expected to recover.

Most Popular StoriesMost Popular StoriesMore>>
Rollover accident slows traffic on I-90
Rollover accident slows traffic on I-90
Traffic on I-90 eastbound was slowed down to one lane late this afternoon. A ready mix truck carrying a large of concrete went off the road and hit an overpass pillar at mile marker 71, 4 miles east of
A ready mix truck carrying a large of concrete went off the road and hit an overpass pillar at mile marker 71, 4 miles east of Box Elder.
Suspect shot by officers near New Underwood is expected to recover
Suspect shot by officers near New Underwood is expected to recover
A man shot by law enforcement officers following a chase in rural Pennington County is expected to recover. Travis Ross, 43, was shot by two Pennington County deputies and a highway patrol officer after
A man shot by law enforcement officers following a chase in rural Pennington County is expected to recover.
State board considers renaming places with offensive names
State board considers renaming places with offensive names
Story courtesy of Mark Roper, KSFY, Sioux Falls.Sculptor Porter Williams works to preserve African American history and says the word Negro is part of that history. "I've talked to a lot of black people
South Dakota state board considers renaming places with offensive names.
Drug Court graduation in Sturgis
Drug Court graduation in Sturgis
Addicts got a new life today at a unique graduation. Four men graduated from the Northern Hill's Drug Court Tuesday. This program is what team members call a tough alternative to prison. It requires
Four men graduated from the Northern Hill's Drug Court Tuesday.
Spearfish Police Department sees increase in phone scams
Spearfish Police Department sees increase in phone scams
Below is a release sent out by the Spearfish Police Department regarding a phone scam.The Spearfish Police Department has seen a recent increase in phone based financial scams in the area. Many times these
The Spearfish Police Department has seen a recent increase in phone based financial scams in the area.
A man facing kidnapping charges could be charged as a habitual offender
A man facing kidnapping charges could be charged as a habitual offender
A Rapid City man, facing kidnapping charges, could be charged as a habitual offender. Thirty seven year old Virgil Bald Eagle goes on trial for kidnapping in September. The state alleges he kidnapped
A Rapid City man, facing kidnapping charges, could be charged as a habitual offender.
Man caught with pants down in Rapid City park
Man caught with pants down in Rapid City park
A man who police say was drunk, was caught with his pants down in a Rapid City park - literally! Police Spokesperson Tarah Heupel says a caller reported that a man was exposing himself in Roosevelt
Galen Sitting Bear, age 36 of Kyle, was arrested for public indecency.
Summer Nights Parking closures to start later in the afternoon
Summer Nights Parking closures to start later in the afternoon
Parking downtown on Thursday afternoon in Rapid City can be a bit tricky because of the Summer Nights Festival. Starting this week, people will now be allowed to park on 7th street and Saint Joseph street
Starting this week, people will now be allowed to park on 7th street and Saint Joseph street until 2:30 p.m. Previously, the parking in these areas had been closed earlier in the afternoon.
New teeth whitening procedure reaches Rapid City
New teeth whitening procedure reaches Rapid City
Two small business owners are joining forces to whiten teeth in Rapid City. Ronnie Weir and Tom Skoog own Whiter Brighter Smiles, which offers customers a self-application whitening procedure in a professional
Two small business owners are joining forces to whiten teeth in Rapid City.
Sturgis to survey rally-goers
Sturgis to survey rally-goers
Surveys are coming to Sturgis. The Sturgis City Council approved spending $26,000 to survey Sturgis rally-goers. The idea is to give sponsors a better idea of who they are trying to target. Christina
The Sturgis City Council approved spending $26,000 to survey Sturgis rally-goers. The idea is to give sponsors a better idea of who they are trying to target.

Black Hills Snow Survey paints grim picture for ongoing drought - KOTA Territory News

Black Hills Snow Survey paints grim picture for ongoing drought

Local News - KOTA TerritoryLocal News KOTA TerritoryMore>>

Most Popular StoriesMost Popular StoriesMore>>