SDSU Hosts 2026 South Dakota Water Conference

By Scout Nelson

South Dakota State University Extension and the South Dakota Water Resources Institute at South Dakota State University are organizing the annual conference. The event will take place on Oct. 7, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT at the McCrory Gardens Education and Visitor Center in Brookings.

Registration is required by September 26, 2026, with fees set at $85 for professionals and $25 for students, including lunch. To register, visit the SDSU Extension Events page and search “water”.

The conference theme, "Balancing Economic Development with South Dakota Water Resources," highlights the growing need to carefully manage water while supporting industries, agriculture, businesses, and expanding communities. Participants will hear presentations from local, state, and federal agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, industry leaders, and other groups involved in water management.

Ryan Lefers, Griffith Endowed Chair in Agriculture and Water Resources, Director of the South Dakota Water Resources Institute, and SDSU Extension Water Management Specialist, explained that many industries depend on reliable water supplies. As economic development continues, communities must carefully consider where water will come from and how to protect both its quality and availability.

“We want to maintain water quality as well as water quantity so the people of our state can enjoy those resources,” Lefers said.

Conference sessions will examine long-term trends in water availability, Missouri River water use, historical water allocation and water rights, lessons learned from recent projects, and updates on current water management efforts across South Dakota. These discussions are designed to help participants understand future challenges and identify practical solutions.

The event also provides an opportunity for professionals from different parts of the state to connect and share ideas.

“It’s a really good opportunity for networking with water professionals from across the state,” Lefers said. “We have so many people working on water from different angles, and we’re a big state where you don’t always see what’s happening in other communities. This is a chance to align on strategies and paths forward.”

Photo Credit: south-dakota-state-university