While the Missouri River basin has seen improved runoff for two consecutive months, it is not enough to overcome the long-term drought persisting in much of the basin. July runoff in the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa was 3.2 million acre-feet, which is 98% of average and 0.7 MAF more than was forecast last month. This has led to an annual runoff forecast of 20.6 MAF, which is 80% of average and 0.6 MAF higher than last month’s forecast. “As expected, reservoir inflows in July have been declining due to the warmer and drier conditions in the upper Missouri River Basin,” said John Remus, chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. “Per the July 1 System storage check, navigation support was increased slightly to 500 cubic feet per second above minimum-service levels. The navigation support season will be 3 days shorter than normal per the guidance in the Master Manual.” USACE will evaluate lower Missouri River flow conditions to set Gavins Point releases to ensure that flows at the four downstream navigation target locations will be at or above the target levels. “The monthly study indicates that the winter release from Gavins Point, which is based on the September 1 System storage check, will likely be at a minimum rate of 12,000 cfs,” Remus added. System storage peaked on July 20 at 52.1 MAF. System storage Aug. 1 was 51.8 MAF, 4.3 MAF below the base of the Annual Flood Control and Multiple Use Zone. “System storage is expected to continue to decline further into the Carryover Multiple Use Zone during the remainder of 2022 as we make releases during the drier summer and fall periods to meet the authorized purposes,” Remus said.

By Beth Sherard-Hutcheson times1@iw.net With the Union County fair being held last week Aug. 3-6, the Union County Commissioners were eager to hear how the week’s events went.

Brad Fowler – State Farm hosted a free will donation hot dog feed Wednesday, Aug. 3 to support the local food pantry. It also doubled as a meet and greet for the new owners, Monte and Shannon Jost, of the Southern Union County Leader-Courier and Dakota Dunes/North Sioux City Times. Photo by Shannon Jost • leader1@iw.net

Seaboard Triumph Foods (STF) hosted Dr. Temple Grandin, animal behavior expert, and Colorado State University animal science professor, to train industry professionals on auditing animal handling.

Bob Hutcheson and Beth Sherard-Fennel were united in marriage Aug. 4, 2022 at the Union County Courthouse in Elk Point.

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) announced today that the City of North Sioux City public water system and the system’s operation specialists have been awarded a Secretary’s Award for Drinking Water Excellence.

By Bruce Odson For the past several years Clay County has shipped prisoners out of the county with Union County being a beneficiary. Clay County commission has asked for a vote Nov.

North Sioux City Economic Development Corporation (NSCEDC) awarded K&K Storage the July Business of the Month. Pictured are, from left, NSCEDC Executive Director Andrew Nilges, K&K General Manager Trena Hoffman, K&K Owner Shawn Keizer, NSCEDC Board President Mike Huber and NSCEDC Directors John Stevens and Dan DeMarest. Submitted photo

By Beth Sherard-Hutcheson times1@iw.net For the last few years, Dakota Valley has housed a summer YMCA program, however, some concerns arouse this last summer that could cause the school district to reconsider offering the company to return in 2023. Superintendent of Schools Dr.

The Division 2 Athletics Association recently announced the 2021-22 recipients of the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards. One hundred and five (105) student-athletes from the University of Sioux Falls were recognized by the D2 ADA this year. In order for a studentathlete to receive an Academic Achievement Award, a student-athlete must