Damages remain visible in the McCook Lake community on July 3, 2024, after a massive flood hit the area on June 23. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)
The state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources intends to dredge 20,000 cubic yards of muck from the bed of McCook Lake this spring, a little less than a year after a devastating flood left the southeast South Dakota community in tatters.
The dredging is meant to begin in May, according to a project outline document on the agency’s public notice web portal.
The goal is “to restore recreation uses and eliminate hazards” created by floodwater deposits in the 273-acre Union County oxbow lake during historic flooding last June.
“All sediment and debris will be removed from the lake and deposited in an upland location away from waters of the state,” the dredging notice says.
The department will take public comment on the plan through April 27, and Secretary Hunter Roberts will consider giving the go-ahead for dredging.
Floodwaters inundated McCook Lake last June when state officials used a levee to divert floodwaters in its direction, setting in motion an emergency plan meant to spare the larger communities of North Sioux City and Dakota Dunes from more significant flooding. The state set up a levee for the same reason during a 2014 flood event, but McCook Lake residents didn’t take on water in that instance.
The department did not immediately respond Wednesday to questions on the price tag for the dredging.
How to comment
Written comments regarding the McCook Lake dredging proposal must be received on or before April 27.
Questions or comments may be emailed to DANRmail@state.sd.us; mailed to SD DANR WQ, 523 E Capitol, Pierre, SD 57501; or submitted online through the “Comment Deadline” link at https://danr.sd.gov/public. Additional project information, including the application, is also available at that link.