2011 Spring Flood

The state of South Dakota experienced a winter with above normal snowfall throughout the 2010/2011 winter season. In many areas of the state, snowfall totals ranged from 50 to nearly 100 inches of snowfall. The snow water equivalency in these areas was 6 to 9 inches. Additionally, the soil moisture content in the affected area leading up to this winter snowfall was 2 to 5 inches above normal, which did not allow the soil to absorb any moisture from the spring snowmelt. All of these conditions led to flooding when the temperatures warmed up and caused significant run-off. The state sustained major damage to public infrastructure starting on March 11, 2011. In March, April, and May 2011, various rivers and lakes in eastern South Dakota continued to set new record high levels.