Missouri River water projects surge, expanding fresh water to SD—Ellsworth AFB (near Rapid City) stays tied to regional defense and base operations. Ellsworth hosts the 28th Bomb Wing.
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.