Drought-related shutoff orders and alerts issued

March 2009

U.S. Water News Online

PIERRE, S.D. — The state Department of Environment and Natural Resources has issued shutoff orders to 50 junior water right holders along the Cheyenne River and tributaries upstream of the Angostura Reservoir, which is two-thirds full.

The federal Bureau of Reclamation holds senior water rights for Angostura, having a 1941 priority date. Those water rights provide for an annual fill of each of the reservoirs for supplying irrigation water to the Belle Fourche Irrigation District and the Angostura Irrigation District.

Officials say the bureau asked DENR to issue shutoff orders to the junior priority water right holders to protect the more senior rights of the irrigation district.

DENR Secretary Steve Pirner says the lingering effects of years of drought still are being felt.

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