What's happened
The Lewis & Clark Regional Water System and related projects are expanding water capacity along the Missouri River. The base system now delivers 44 million gallons daily to 20 communities, with two expansions under way and a separate pipeline project to support growth in the Black Hills region. Together, the initiatives could cost tens of billions and serve hundreds of thousands more residents over the next 40–50 years.
What's behind the headline?
new supply push
- The base Lewis & Clark system provides 44 million gallons per day and serves 20 communities; expansions aim to 60 MGD by 2030 and potentially 165 MGD later, signaling a sustained build-out.
- WEB Water is upgrading to 17 MGD capacity; improvements focus on reliability for the 18 counties in the supply area.
- The Western Dakota Regional Water System is pursuing a 72-inch pipeline to the Black Hills, reflecting regional growth and strategic diversification of supply.
drivers & implications
- Projects are responding to long-term population and industrial growth, including potential growth in military infrastructure.
- Financing and coordination across multiple entities will shape timelines and completion risk.
- The scale of investment suggests implications for local rates, agriculture, and regional planning.
uncertainty & next steps
- Additional feasibility studies and federal authorization are needed for the Black Hills pipeline.
- Stakeholder agreements and cost-sharing will influence final capacity and delivery timelines.
How we got here
South Dakota and neighboring states are pushing major investments to secure long-term drinking water from the Missouri River. The Lewis & Clark system, WEB Water, and the Western Dakota Regional Water System are expanding capacity and planning new pipelines to serve 750,000+ people in the region, addressing aging infrastructure and growing demand.
Our analysis
AP News, The Independent – May 4, 2026; The Independent – May 4, 2026; AP News – May 4, 2026
Go deeper
- How soon will the expanded capacity be online?
- Which communities will gain most from the new pipelines?
- What funding mechanisms are being used to finance the expansion?
More on these topics
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Missouri River - River in the United States of America
The Missouri River is the longest river in North America. Rising in the Rocky Mountains of western Montana, the Missouri flows east and south for 2,341 miles before entering the Mississippi River north of St. Louis, Missouri.
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Ellsworth Air Force Base - Air base in Box Elder, South Dakota
Ellsworth Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located about 10 miles northeast of Rapid City, South Dakota, just north of the town of Box Elder. The host unit at Ellsworth is the 28th Bomb Wing.