Meghan Hodges
The Big Sioux River, a tributary of the Missouri River, is considered one of the dirtiest rivers in the United States. It flows for 419 miles through South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa, providing drinking water and supporting agriculture for the communities along its route. However, the river is heavily polluted, with high levels of E. coli, sediment, nitrates, and other contaminants. The primary sources of pollution are urban runoff, agricultural operations, and unregulated rural polluters. Despite efforts by groups like the Sierra Club and the East River Group to improve water quality and conservation, the river continues to fall short of standards, particularly in terms of its swimmability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pollution Ranking | 13th dirtiest river in the country |
| Pollution by Weight | High |
| Water Quality | Poor |
| Pollutants | E-coli, sediment, nitrates, ammonia, iron, low dissolved oxygen |
| Drinking Water Availability | Unavailable in certain areas due to pollution |
| Pollution Sources | Urban runoff, agricultural operations, livestock grazing, wildlife, pet waste, municipal stormwater runoff |
| Conservation Efforts | Annual Water Quality Testing, River Clean-Ups, Friends of the Big Sioux group |
| Flooding | Record-breaking flooding during the 2019 Midwestern U.S. floods |
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![Quality of water from surficial-outwash aquifers in the Big Sioux River basin, eastern South Dakota / by Stephen J. Lawrence and Steven K. Sando ; prepared in cooperation with the Sout [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IX47b4r9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
The Big Sioux River is the 13th dirtiest river in the US
The Big Sioux River, a tributary of the Missouri River, flows for 419 miles across eastern South Dakota and northwestern Iowa. It is one of the dirtiest rivers in the United States, ranking 13th in total pollution by weight, according to the advocacy group Environment America.
The river's pollution is caused by a variety of factors, including urban runoff, agricultural operations, and livestock grazing. The river has been impaired with high levels of ammonia, dissolved oxygen, iron, and E. coli. The stretch of the river passing through Sioux Falls has particularly high levels of fecal coliform, making it unsafe for swimming.
The cleanup process is challenging due to the tension between upstream and downstream interests and the lack of regulatory power in South Dakota. However, some progress has been made, with better conservation practices reducing erosion levels on the heavily farmed tributaries. The city of Sioux Falls has also taken steps to improve the river's water quality, with the ultimate goal of making it swimmable and aesthetically pleasing to spur economic development.
The Sierra Club, an environmental organization, has formed a group called "Friends of the Big Sioux," which aims to involve landowners, businesses, and residents in improving the river's health and beauty. They conduct annual water quality testing and river clean-ups, removing trash and flood debris from the river and its surroundings. These efforts are crucial in restoring the Big Sioux River and ensuring it can be enjoyed by the communities it flows through.
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It is polluted by urban and rural sources
The Big Sioux River is a tributary of the Missouri River, flowing through eastern South Dakota and northwestern Iowa in the United States. It is a source of drinking water and provides for the domestic water supply of towns and rural areas in these states.
However, the river is highly polluted and is considered one of the dirtiest rivers in the nation. The primary sources of pollution in the Big Sioux River are both urban and rural activities. Urban pollution comes from regulated point sources, such as the city wastewater plant and businesses like John Morrell, a meatpacking company that was fined for discharging three times its permitted limit of ammonia into the river. Municipal stormwater runoff is another contributor to urban pollution in the river.
Rural pollution, on the other hand, typically comes from nonpoint sources, such as agricultural operations, including livestock grazing and feeding operations. Rural landowners and producers have expressed frustration at being singled out as sources of pollution, citing the efforts of companies like Morrell's parent company, Smithfield Foods, to abide by environmental laws and reduce pollution.
Another significant pollutant in the river is E. coli, which comes from urban runoff from pet wastes and wildlife, as well as agricultural operations. The presence of E. coli and other pollutants has rendered parts of the river's waters unsuitable for drinking. Trash is also a major issue, with people, businesses, and landowners disregarding the negative impact of their actions on the river.
The cleanup process and improving the water quality of the Big Sioux River is challenging due to the tension between upstream and downstream interests, as well as South Dakota's historical aversion to regulation. However, some progress has been made, with better conservation practices reducing erosion levels on the river's heavily farmed tributaries.
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It has been impaired by ammonia, iron and dissolved oxygen
The Big Sioux River, a tributary of the Missouri River, flows for 419 miles across eastern South Dakota and northwestern Iowa. The river is an important source of domestic water supply for towns and rural areas in these states. However, the Big Sioux River has faced significant pollution issues, with certain sections being too contaminated for drinking water use.
One of the primary issues impairing the river is ammonia pollution. Ammonia is an inorganic chemical compound that is highly toxic to humans, animals, and aquatic life at high concentrations. Human activities, such as the use of fertilizers, industrial processes, and waste disposal, contribute to high levels of ammonia in the river. When aquatic organisms are exposed to elevated ammonia levels, they struggle to excrete the toxin, leading to its toxic buildup in their internal tissues and blood, which can be fatal. Furthermore, ammonia poses a risk to human health, as high levels of ammonia in the bloodstream can adversely affect the nervous system.
Another pollutant of concern in the Big Sioux River is iron, which enters the river through soil erosion. While iron itself may not be a direct toxin, it contributes to elevated levels of total suspended solids (TSS). TSS refers to particles larger than 2 microns that float or "suspend" in the water, including substances like clay, gravel, sand, silt, and bacteria. Although many of these particles do not directly harm human or wildlife health, they can have indirect effects. For example, clay and silt particles can make the water murky, reducing water clarity. Additionally, certain TSS particles, particularly those arising from human pollution, can fuel toxic algal blooms, which further deplete dissolved oxygen levels.
Dissolved oxygen is essential for supporting healthy aquatic life in the river. When dissolved oxygen levels drop too low, it can have detrimental effects on freshwater organisms, leading to respiratory stress, behavioural changes, increased mortality, and shifts in population dynamics. Low dissolved oxygen levels are often associated with algal blooms, as the decomposition of algae consumes oxygen, resulting in hypoxic or anoxic conditions. This, in turn, can lead to foul-smelling water, fish gasping for air at the surface, and large fish dying off.
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E. coli is another primary pollutant
The Big Sioux River, a tributary of the Missouri River, flows for 419 miles across eastern South Dakota and northwestern Iowa. It is considered one of the dirtiest rivers in the United States, with sections of the river and its tributaries consistently failing to meet the standards that guide their use.
The Sierra Club, through its "Friends of the Big Sioux" initiative, is actively working to address this issue. They organise annual water quality testing, training volunteers to test the waters for E. coli, sediment, nitrates, pH, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen. These efforts help monitor and raise awareness about the presence of E. coli and other pollutants in the river.
Additionally, the group organises annual river clean-ups to remove trash and debris from the Big Sioux River and its surroundings. By engaging volunteers and landowners, they aim to foster a sense of ownership and pride in the watershed, encouraging behaviours that reduce pollution and improve the overall health of the river.
The improvement of the Big Sioux River's water quality is a complex task due to the diverse sources of pollution and the varying standards and regulations in upstream and downstream areas. While some sections of the river have shown progress, others continue to struggle with high levels of pollution. The river's health is further challenged by population growth and the expansion of agricultural activities in the region.
Addressing the issue of E. coli and other pollutants in the Big Sioux River requires a collaborative effort from regulators, landowners, businesses, and residents. By working together to implement stricter regulations, improve conservation practices, and raise awareness about the importance of a healthy river ecosystem, it is possible to make significant strides in restoring the river's water quality.
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The river's slow pace of improvement is due to South Dakota's aversion to regulation
The Big Sioux River, a tributary of the Missouri River, flows for 419 miles across eastern South Dakota and northwestern Iowa. It is one of the dirtiest rivers in the United States, with sections of the river and its tributaries consistently failing to meet the standards that guide their use. The river's pollution is caused by urban and rural sources, with the latter typically unregulated. South Dakota's aversion to regulation has been cited as a hindrance to the cleanup process, resulting in the river's slow pace of improvement.
The primary pollutants in the Big Sioux River include E. coli from urban runoff, agricultural operations, and livestock grazing. These issues are exacerbated by the casual disregard of some individuals, businesses, and landowners, who contribute trash and other pollutants to the river. While there have been efforts to improve the river's water quality, such as the work of the Sierra Club and the East River Group, the river still faces significant challenges.
The city of Sioux Falls has struggled to meet the criteria for a swimmable river, with issues related to fecal coliform, ammonia, dissolved oxygen, and iron. The municipal wastewater plant and industrial facilities have been identified as major point sources of pollution. However, rural producers have pushed back against what they perceive as a disproportionate focus on their contributions to the river's pollution.
The cleanup process is complicated by the tension between upstream and downstream interests, as well as the varying pollution standards along the river's course. While there have been some improvements in conservation practices, overall, the river's water quality has shown little change since the state began gathering robust data in the 1980s. This slow pace of improvement is attributed, in part, to South Dakota's reluctance to impose and enforce regulations on polluters, particularly in rural areas.
To address the river's pollution effectively, South Dakota must either empower regulators to take a stronger stance on nonpoint sources of pollution or reevaluate the realistic usage of the river. Without a more proactive approach, the river's water quality is unlikely to improve significantly, impacting the health and well-being of the communities and ecosystems that depend on it.
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Frequently asked questions
The Big Sioux River is considered one of the dirtiest rivers in the US.
The river's pollution comes from both urban and rural sources. Urban pollution is typically regulated, whereas rural sources are not. Trash, E. coli from urban runoff, and agricultural operations are also significant contributors.
The river's water quality is so poor that it is not suitable for drinking or swimming in certain sections. The river has also historically had issues with high levels of ammonia, dissolved oxygen, and iron.
The Sierra Club has formed a group called "Friends of the Big Sioux" to foster a sense of ownership and pride in the watershed among landowners, businesses, and residents. This group conducts annual water quality testing and river clean-ups. The city of Sioux Falls has also implemented measures to improve water quality, and industries are working to comply with environmental laws.
A version to regulation in South Dakota has hampered cleanup efforts. There is also a tension between upstream and downstream interests, and a need for stronger action or a realistic reassessment of the river's usage.
