The drought is reducing the flow of the Big Sioux River. As the water levels decline, junk is revealed.
Jay Gilbertson is manager of the East Dakota Water Development District.
“There’s a lot less water, so the things that are in the river like the tires and the shopping carts and the old TVs are now visible,” he said. “Two years ago, they were underwater.
Gilbertson said rainfall runoff can carry trash into the river.
“Part of it is simply recognizing that if we want to live along the river and interact with the river, we’re going to have to do a better job.”
Friends of the Big Sioux River host river clean-up events throughout the summer.
This story comes from a recent interview on SDPB's weekday radio program, "In the Moment." Listen to the full interview below.
