South Dakota

Global climate change poses risks to human health and to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Important economic resources such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and water resources also may be affected. Warmer temperatures, more severe droughts and floods, and sea level rise could have a wide range of impacts. All these stresses can add to existing stresses on resources caused by other influences such as population growth, land-use changes, and pollution.

Climate Change in South Dakota

Below are some of the potential impacts:

• Over the last century, the average temperature in Pierre, South Dakota, has increased 1.6°F, and precipitation has increased by up to 20% in many parts of the state.
• By 2100 temperatures in South Dakota could increase by 3°F in spring and summer (with a range of 1-6°F) and 4°F in fall and winter(with a range of 2-7°F). Precipitation is estimated to increase by 10% (with a range of 5-20%) in spring, summer, and fall, and 20% in winter (with a range of 10-40%).
• The frequency of extreme hot days in summer would increase because of the general warming trend. It is not clear how the severity of storms might be affected, although an increase in the frequency and intensity of winter storms is possible.
• The mix of crop and livestock production in a state is influenced by climatic conditions and water availability. As climate warms, production patterns could shift northward. Increases in climate variability could make adaptation by farmers more difficult. Warmer climates and less soil moisture due to increased evaporation may increase the need for irrigation. However, these same conditions could decrease water supplies, which also may be needed by natural ecosystems, urban populations, industry, and other users.
• In South Dakota, production agriculture is a $3.3 billion annual industry, two-thirds of which comes from livestock, mainly cattle. Livestock and dairy production may not be affected, unless summer temperatures rise significantly and conditions become significantly drier. Under these conditions, livestock tend to gain less weight and pasture yields decline, limiting forage.
• The major river in South Dakota is the Missouri River, which drains almost the entire state. South Dakota is primarily rural, and agriculture is the dominant user of water. The area west of the Missouri, where ranching predominates, principally uses surface water. The area east of the Missouri, which has a farming-based economy, relies heavily on groundwater. Streamflow is highly variable in South Dakota. Except for the Missouri, which has a sustained flow and large storage reservoirs, many streams do not provide a dependable water supply. Particularly in the eastern part of the state, streams are characterized by high flows during the spring and early summer that can cause flooding and by low flows during the summer, fall, and winter that can limit uses. In a warmer climate, this situation could be exacerbated. Warmer winter temperatures would lead to earlier spring snowmelt, resulting in higher streamflows in winter and spring. In the summer, without large increases in precipitation, higher temperatures and increased evaporation would further reduce streamflows.
• Conversion of native prairie to agricultural use is a second major cause of habitat loss or alteration in the state. It is estimated that more than 75% of the land in eastern South Dakota is under cultivation. Wetlands have been drained, eliminating habitat for fish and wetland-dependent birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Changes in climate can be expected to further stress ecosystems and wildlife such as the mountain lion, black bear, longnose sucker, fringetailed myotis, marten, and bald eagle.

The above are based on from the Environmental Protection Agency's report on climate change, which uses data from the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2001).

For more info on climate change impacts on Wyoming in areas such as water resources, agriculture, forests and ecosystems, you can download pdf of full EPA Report.

CO2: How Does Your State Rank?

South Dakota is the highest emitter of C02 of all 50 states and the most populous.

See all rankings

Maps

See CO2 output by sector, coastal population maps, and maps of regional initiatives.

Regional Initiatives

In the absence of federal action, many U.S. states are banding together to explore and employ greenhouse gas-reducing policies.

South Dakota participates in the following:

Powering the Plains

Western Governors' Association (WGA): Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative

Learn about climate initiatives in all U.S. states and regions

Your Impact

Estimate your CO2 footprint by using a carbon calculator such as the one on the Inconvenient Truth web site.

How green is your energy? The EPA has a power profiler that can tell you.