Drought Ebbs In Northeast, Worsens In Southeast SD

Drought conditions have eased somewhat in northeastern South Dakota, but the situation has worsened in some counties in the southeastern part of the state.

Laura Edwards of the South Dakota State University Extension Service says this week's drought report reflects recent rainfall and improving crop conditions in the northeastern corner of the state. But she says conditions degraded in Minnehaha, Lincoln and Union counties in the southeast.

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, about 88 percent of South Dakota is at some level of drought, with the rest of the state rated abnormally dry.

State Climatologist Dennis Todey says 82 percent of South Dakota's corn-growing region is in some level of drought, while 81 percent of the soybean-growing area is in drought.