FORT PIERRE — The U-S-D-A Forest Service is looking for input to be used to aid in repairing Lower Booth Dam in Jones County. The project within the Fort Pierre National Grasslands covers 78 acres in Jones County. The dam suffered a breach in 2011. Before that is was a 12 surface-acre stock pond that provided wildlife habitat, livestock water and recreational fishing. Since the breach, the Horsethief West Pasture has not been grazed in several years. That’s led to an abundance of vegetative litter and fine fuel accumulation. The site has also seen an overgrowth of invasive grasses like smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass. The plan would repair Lower Booth Dam and clear the site of any fuels through mowing. For those wanting more information or to provide input for the Forest Service, you can contact the Fort Pierre Ranger District. The Forest Service would work with the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department on the repairs, likely in the summer and fall of 2022 or 2023.
