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Map of South Dakota with colored dots indicating river stage levels.

Where to Find Weather and River Forecasts

Weather and flooding concerns can develop and change rapidly. There are some excellent resources for real-time information for weather forecasts and river flooding that can be accessed online.

abandoned barn surrounded by flood waters. Photo by Jeannie Mooney, FEMA

Effects of Spring Flooding on Weed Seed Movement

How does spring flooding impact weed seed movement and dispersal? The flooding that is occurring from spring snow melt may cause weed seeds that are on the soil surface or eroded soil to move, and possibly long distances.

crop fields flooded by spring snow melt. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung

Managing Soil and Soil Fertility After Flooding

During floods, your fields will experience different amounts of erosion, sediment deposition, and crop residue accumulation. To avoid compaction of these soils it is crucial to let soils drain and dry out sufficiently before removing any large debris from fields or working the soil.

A family emergency kit in a gray plastic tote. Photo by Zachary Kittrie

Flood Safety Considerations for Youth

Much like any event or disaster, the time to prepare for a flood is before it happens. Families should prepare for events by having a conversation with family members.

Outside of a home impacted by flooding. Sandbags ar in front of windows and the garage. Photo by David Valdez, FEMA

Cleanup in Your Home: After the Flood

When faced with disaster, one may not know where to begin or what to do when cleaning out our homes and businesses following a flood. To get started with this task, SDSU Extension has put together a list of resources to help start cleaning flood damages, personal belongings, and mold and mildew issues.

Flooded farm yard. Photo by John Shea, FEMA.

Checking and Treating Domestic Water Supplies After a Flood

Depending on its location, domestic well water supplies can oftentimes be negatively impacted during a flood.

bottom part of a corn plant in soil with half of the roots exposed to show the seed trench (side-wall) compaction.

Planting Into Wet Soils

It is evident that there are high chances of planting into wet soils this spring. This is not a good decision when normal soil conditions appear to be attainable, but this year we may not have a choice.

diagram of a conventional septic system

Septic Systems and Flooding

Septic systems may not always be a homeowner’s first concern during a flood. However, as South Dakotans continue to navigate an exceptionally wet spring, some consideration should be given to your septic system to prevent damage to your home and protect your family’s health.

A young boy operating an underwater drone in large pool in front of a crowd of onlookers.

Underwater Drone Draws Crowds at Dakotafest

A new project being developed by faculty and staff from the SDSU Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering (ABE) was recently unveiled during the 2019 Dakotafest Farm Show in Mitchell, South Dakota on August 20–22.

Two groups of cover crops. Left: Oats. Right: Radish.

Herbicide Interactions With Cover Crops After Oats

After oats have been harvested, options exist to keep a living root in the soil. This can be done through growing cover crops. In 2018 an on-farm trial was preformed near Salem, South Dakota to observe how cover crops grown after oats would germinate after common herbicides had been applied.