Loving a place is not enough.
You need a willingness to protect it.
Friends of the Big Sioux River is on a mission to change the way we all think about our relationship with our river. We want to bring awareness to the plight of this cultural, economic, and environmental backbone of Eastern South Dakota. We see an opportunity to unite and deploy people from all walks of life who share a stake in the improvement of this precious resource of Eastern South Dakota. Stakeholders include anyone who lives, works or plays in an urban, rural, private, commercial, or government setting within the Big Sioux River watershed. This means you.
Our Programs
WATER QUALITY MONITORING
Friends of the Big Sioux River recognizes 3 primary contaminants that impair water quality: 1) total suspended solids (TSS) from soil erosion, 2) E. coli from animal waste, and 3) nitrates from fertilizer. Throughout the summer, we test for these 3 contaminants to help determine the water quality of the river.
RIVER RESTORATION
Recent water crises across the US have elevated awareness regarding the importance of water and rivers for communities. By being proactive, we can avoid the struggles and costs associated with the maltreatment of an important resource.
EDUCATION
We work to offer an answer by engaging residents of all ages in meaningful education programs where participants learn about the issues through hands-on educational experiences and become part of an on-going effort to protect and restore the Big Sioux River and its watershed communities.
PUBLIC POLICY & ADVOCACY
We work to provide progress updates on water quality, habitat improvement, agricultural practices, and pollution in the Big Sioux River watershed to create accountability for decision makers entrusted with the health of the river. We are dedicated to advocating for our watershed at home and in Pierre.
Our Impact
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on a mission to change the way we all think about our relationship with water. We want to bring awareness to the plight of the Big Sioux River and encourage our community to start making river-healthy choices. Through partnerships with the state of South Dakota, local communities, and rural and urban residents of eastern South Dakota, we work to achieve our goal of a healthy watershed. We are proud to be your clean water advocates.
A Cleaner River for Everyone
ECONOMICS
A clean Big Sioux River opens the door to many development, tourism, and recreational opportunities that generate revenue for our area. New businesses will be attracted by this beautiful feature of Eastern South Dakota.
ENVIRONMENT
Every living creature needs clean water to survive. By protecting local water, we ensure a safe environment for swimming, a dependable source of drinking water, and healthy habitats for wildlife.
RECREATION
A river offers many opportunities for adventure. If you're a parent, jogger, biker, kayak or canoe enthusiast, park goer, camper, hunter, or fisher person, you are just one of the many people who could benefit from a cleaner Big Sioux River.
AESTHETICS
From the dramatic cut of the Black Hills to the gentle slope of the Coteau des Prairies, South Dakota is a beautiful place to live in. By protecting our natural vistas, we can ensure our state remains a breathtaking place to call home.
Get Involved
As residents of eastern South Dakota, our life intimately intersects with the Big Sioux River every day. Whether it’s a scenic sight passed on the way to work or the place families create big fish stories, its waters trace the shape of lives along the river. The Big Sioux River offers countless recreational opportunities from the lights on the Falls in the winter to the paved paths that line its shores. Joggers, bikers, fishermen, kayakers, canoers, swimmers, hunters, campers, and everyone in between can find an offering hand being held out by our river.
