South Dakota

Wind Cave, South Dakota

Published

3 years ago

June 19, 2022

Amongst one of many largest mapped caves on the planet, Wind Cave is a multi-faceted Nationwide Park in South Dakota, U.S.A. The Cave is well-known for not solely its monumental dimension however the huge sights and land which surrounds it.

The Wind Cave was declared a nationwide park in 1903 and skilled over 615,000 guests previously 12 months. It was named as such because of the pure wind which blows out and in of its large entrance. Curiously, the wind blows based mostly on its barometric strain. When the strain inside the Wind Cave exceeds the present outside air strain, it blows out the wind.

Historical past Of The Wind Cave

Wind Cave had been deemed sacred by Native Individuals for a really very long time earlier than brothers Jesse and Tom Bingham “found” the Collapse 1881. The pair would uncover the Cave by monitoring down a small gap within the floor which seemingly blew wind, inflicting a loud whistling noise.

Scientists would later uncover that the small gap was actually the Wind Cave and that the wind was blown out and in as a result of its inner strain. The primary true explorer got here ten years after the Binghams found the Cave. Alvin McDonald entered the Cave past its entrance, discovering that the Cave was very completely different than these discovered within the east. Versus massive stalagmites, the Cave was filled with popcorn, boxwood, and frostwork cave formations.

Quick ahead to 1903, Wind Cave and its environment had been deemed a Nationwide Park by President Theodore Roosevelt. From then on out, the Cave was protected by the US authorities. In trendy instances, vacationers can discover the Cave and its surrounding magnificence freely, with the chance for guided classes.

Geography Of Wind Cave

A lone bison within the prarie of the Wind Cave Nationwide Park.

Wind Cave Nationwide Park covers a complete of 28,295 acres, with the Cave itself accounting for 143 mapped miles. Nevertheless, that determine stays ambiguous because of the sheer quantity of undiscovered tunnels. Prairies, pine forests, and varied wildlife inhabit the remaining space. The Wind Cave’s lowest elevation is discovered at Beaver Creek, the place the elevation is simply 3,559 toes. The best elevation is 5,013 toes and could be discovered at Rankin Ridge.

Wind Cave is well-known for its boxwork, in any other case often known as calcite formations. 95% of the world’s boxwork formations are positioned right here at Wind Cave. The formations resemble honeycombs or packing containers as they had been naturally designed in geometric shapes. The Cave can also be dwelling to frostwork formations, that are delicate crystals that seem to have a frosted or glazed-over shade.

Flora And Fauna At Wind Cave

Wind Cave National Park — American bison on the Wind Cave Nationwide Park, Black Hills, South Dakota.

Because of its in depth dimension, Wind Cave is dwelling to a mess of various animal and plant species. Because the Park is filled with flat floor, strolling animals like bison, badgers, elk, cougars, ferrets, coyotes, pronghorn antelopes, crimson foxes, prairie canine, bobcats, minks, skunks, and rattlesnakes. Bison is without doubt one of the extra outstanding animals discovered across the Wind Cave. They roam the realm in the same method to cows on a farm.

Pine forests encompass the Cave considerably sporadically, giving birds the possibility to roam round, flying from tree to tree with out hurt. A number of the birds that could possibly be seen are woodpeckers, turkey vultures, snow gooses, wooden geese, meadowlarks, wild turkeys, ospreys, grey partridges, and mallards. There may be additionally ample alternative to identify birds which are coming or leaving from migration.

By way of fauna, the Park is filled with various flowers, crops, and bushes. Ponderosa pine offers off a vanilla accord amongst delicate wildflowers like purple cone flowers, white sego lilies, and yellow sunflowers. Amongst extra frequent crops and bushes, Wind Cave boasts bur oak, apple tree, and bloom, juniper, sumac, poison ivy, willow, elderberry, maple, cottonwood, and birch.

Points of interest At Wind Cave

Inside the cave at Wind Cave National Park — Contained in the cave at Wind Cave Nationwide Park.

Wind cave provides many sights ranging in value, time, and bodily exertion. For starters, it’s possible you’ll enter the opening of the Cave fully free! With out reserving a tour, it’s possible you’ll hike for 10-20 minutes into one of many solely identified pure entrances to the Cave. Three completely different cave excursions discover completely different parts of the Cave. They vary from 1 hour to 1 and a half, with variation in miles traveled and elevated steps taken.

For these seeking to discover the Park itself, mountaineering among the many animals is a terrific and cost-effective choice. The Park is canine pleasant and encourages exploration from its guests. There is a chance to horseback journey by the paths, discover prairie canine and bison cities, and even camp within the backcountry. For youthful guests, it’s possible you’ll even take part in a 20-45 minute exercise to earn your junior park ranger certification.

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South Dakota

Landowners appeal Summit carbon storage decision • South Dakota Searchlight

Published

7 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Landowners appeal Summit carbon storage decision • South Dakota Searchlight

A group of North Dakota landowners is appealing the state’s approval of an underground carbon storage area for Summit Carbon Solutions, the company attempting to build the world’s largest carbon capture and storage project.

The group represented by Bismarck attorney Derrick Braaten on Thursday filed the appeal in Burleigh County District Court, asserting that the North Dakota Industrial Commission withheld information and violated state law in approving the storage permit plan on Dec. 12.

The permanent underground carbon storage sites in western North Dakota are a key piece of Summit’s planned five-state pipeline network (including South Dakota) capturing greenhouse gas emissions from ethanol plants. Approving the storage wells was one of the last decisions of Gov. Doug Burgum as chair of the Industrial Commission, which also included Attorney General Drew Wrigley and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring.

State schedules public input meetings on Summit carbon pipeline application

The unanimous vote by the commission means that landowners who had not signed an agreement with Summit will be forced to allow the carbon storage on their property.

The landowners assert that the Industrial Commission, which includes the state Department of Mineral Resources, illegally refused to disclose information to landowners under North Dakota open records laws. Braaten and his clients were seeking computer-generated models that predict where the carbon dioxide will go when it is pumped underground for permanent storage.

The appeal says former Department of Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms refused to provide the models before, during and after public hearings on the case in June, shortly before Helms retired.

The order passed by the Industrial Commission said that if any open records requests were not fulfilled, it is because the Braaten Law Firm did not inform the agency that it had not received the records.

“That’s a lie,” Braaten told the North Dakota Monitor.

The appeal said Braaten’s firm was able to obtain the records in November. Braaten contends the computer models aren’t accurate but landowners were not given a chance to dispute that. He said multiple requests for a rehearing were ignored.

Another issue raised in the appeal are the state’s rules on underground storage. Under a process called amalgamation, if 60% of the landowners in a proposed storage area agree to the plan, the state can force the other 40% to comply.

Summit has obtained more than 92% of the pore space lease agreements across all three areas, according to the order approved in December.

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After the commission’s Dec. 12 decision, Summit Executive Vice President Wade Boeshans said the permits resulted from “years of rigorous scientific study, engineering design, and input from regulators, landowners, and local leaders.”

Braaten also is representing the Northwest Landowners Association that has a separate lawsuit before the North Dakota Supreme Court on the amalgamation issue that he contends is unconstitutional.

He said a ruling on either that lawsuit or the storage decision appeal should clarify the constitutionality of the rules.

Braaten’s law firm also is representing Emmons County in a separate legal challenge to the state Public Service Commission’s approval of the pipeline route through North Dakota. Emmons County and Burleigh County are challenging the PSC’s interpretation of state law that concluded state zoning rules preempt local ordinances on where pipelines are allowed.

Another group of landowners also is appealing the PSC permit decision.

Braaten said those appeals may be combined into one case.

This story was originally published by the North Dakota Monitor. Like South Dakota Searchlight, it’s part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. North Dakota Monitor maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Amy Dalrymple for questions: [email protected].

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South Dakota

Former South Dakota DSS employee indicted for allegedly stealing voucher to buy groceries

Published

15 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Former South Dakota DSS employee indicted for allegedly stealing voucher to buy groceries

A former South Dakota Department of Social Services employee was indicted on one count of social services fraud Thursday, according to a press release from the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office.

Amalia Escalante Barrientos, 28, allegedly used a stolen DSS voucher to purchase groceries for personal use, according to the press release. The incident occurred at a Brookings business Oct. 11.

The Brookings woman has not yet appeared for an initial hearing, according to Minnehaha County court documents.

According to Open SD, Barrientos’ wage is listed at $26.58 hourly.

If convicted, Barrientos could serve up to one year in the county jail, a $2,000 fine, or both, according to the press release.

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South Dakota

South Dakota Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Jan. 8, 2025

Published

23 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

South Dakota Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Jan. 8, 2025

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 8, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

01-20-36-38-43, Powerball: 24, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

13-14-24-37-38, Lucky Ball: 13

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

04-15-33-39-41, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Dakota Cash numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

05-15-25-26-33

Check Dakota Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.

When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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