Pactola releases drop to 15 cfs Oct. 1 to hold water for Rapid Creek trout

The Bureau of Reclamation is cutting Pactola Reservoir releases from 30 cubic feet per second to 15 starting Oct. 1 and holding the lower flow through the winter. KOTA News reported the change on Oct. 1, 2026.

Inflows have been below average after a limited snowpack, and the reservoir is about 70 percent full. The goal is to conserve supply and stabilize Rapid Creek before brown trout spawn later in October, which reduces the chance that dropping water will leave eggs dry.

The cut was coordinated with the City of Rapid City and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. The city said municipal supply is not affected. Outdoor watering restrictions are still under alert conservation. Some anglers have raised concern about “loss zones” as the river drops.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: KOTA News — Pactola Dam water releases reduced to conserve supply, protect trout habitat (Oct. 1, 2026).