The rosebud sioux tribe (RST) drought trends analysis and groundwater recharge implementation plan (proposed project) targets the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) climate program…

The rosebud sioux tribe (RST) drought trends analysis and groundwater recharge implementation plan (proposed project) targets the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) climate program office FY24 national integrated drought information system (NIDIS) tribal drought resilience with inflation reduction act support to fund necessary research regarding the effects of climate change on the rsts water resources and assess the feasibility of mitigation options. The proposed project addresses the pressing challenge of climate change impacts on water resources for the RST in south dakota. The region faces heightened drought risks due to changing climate patterns and groundwater is a critical resource in times of drought. The great plains, and particularly the rosebud reservation, grapples with semiarid conditions and variable precipitation, amplifying vulnerability to climate change as drought conditions become more frequent and severe. Economic activities, such as ranching and farming, hinge on groundwater from the high plains aquifer. The RST seeks to better understand its vulnerability to future drought and strengthen its water resilience in the face of climatic uncertainties. The proposed project encompasses three key tasks: (1) managed aquifer recharge implementation plan; (2) analysis of drought trends and groundwater levels; and (3) drought mitigation dashboard. Task 1 involves evaluating the feasibility of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) on the rosebud reservation, targeting the ogallala aquifer, employing GIS-based decision analysis to identify optimal sites. Task 2 uses existing U.S. Geological survey groundwater models to simulate diverse drought scenarios and assess response measures. Task 3 focuses on enhancing the rsts existing decision dashboard to publicly share study findings and include real-time groundwater data, where available. The proposed project aligns with NOAA's long-term climate research goals and all the goals of the climate program office FY24 NIDIS tribal drought resilience competition. The research and actions of the RST can serve as a model for the 26 recognized tribes in the missouri river basin. Furthermore, the proposed project directly contributes to NOAA's mission of science, service, and stewardship by advancing understanding of the climate system and fostering tribal resilience. This project addresses a critical need for building climate resilience in tribal communities by emphasizing sustainable groundwater management. By combining scientific analysis, innovative approaches like MAR, and improved decision support systems, RST aims to fortify its water resources against the impacts of climate change.