(Continued from page 18)

ing that a lot of people in the Black Hills are appreciative of the moisture that the snow is providing.
• On the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in southwestern South Dakota, tribal leaders are focusing on clean up and clearing snow drifts so that they can reach some of the most isolated residents. Parts of the reservation received 24 inches of snowfall, according to the National Weather Service.
• "The housing clusters are completely snowed in," said tribal spokeswoman Toni Red Cloud.
• Red Cloud said the tribe currently has about 15 snowplows working the roads, but some people are worried they could run out of food before everything is cleared away and they are able to leave their homes.
• "It's going to be a long process," she added.
•

• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota officials have urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue conserving water in Missouri River reservoirs as dry conditions limit water flows into the system.
• State officials had planned to submit a letter at a Corps of Engineers meeting in Pierre that was canceled due to bad weather Wednesday. The letter recommending ways to manage the river now has been sent to the corps.
• The letter, signed by state Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Steve Pirner and state Game, Fish and Parks Secretary Jeff Vonk, asks the corps not to release water from the reservoirs to downstream navigation in areas with no commercial barges.
• The state also backs the corps' plan to maintain steady or rising water levels in Fort Peck, Sakakawea and Oahe lakes to support spring fish spawning. High releases during the 2011 flood flushed a lot of smelt through Oahe Dam.
• "A rising pool during the April-to-May spawning period is important in rebuilding the population of this important prey species that supports a thriving sport fishery on which so many river communities rely," according to the letter.
• In addition, state officials are asking the corps for accurate forecasts of water levels so they can take steps to keep boat ramps open in high-use areas of Lake Oahe.
• The corps also will need to help public drinking water systems get water as reservoir levels drop, the letter says.
•

(Continued on page 20)