SD Conservation.org

Conservation for Today, Tomorrow and the Future


Marshall County Conservation District
505 Vander Horck Avenue, PO Box 8 — Britton, SD 57430-0008 Phone: 605-448-2442— FAX: 605-448-2914

Marshall County Conservation District was established in 1944, excluding six Northwest townships that were originally part of the Brown-Marshall Conservation District (established in 1937). In 1948 those six townships transferred their membership to the Marshall County Conservation District. Today’s Conservation District which includes all of Marshall county lies in the NE corner of South Dakota. It has approximately 567,040 acres. About 60% of the county is cropland with the rest being range, pastureland, lakes and marsh. Except for the extreme NE corner of the county, the eastern two thirds of the county is on the Coteau des Prairies, known locally as the “Sisseton Hills.” The extreme NE corner is part of the Minnesota River – Red River lowlands. The western part of the county is the Lake Dakota Plain. Marshall County has 3 State Parks; Fort Sisseton, Roy Lake and Sieche Hollow. Besides the State Parks, lakes such as Clear, Buffalo, Red Iron, Nine Mile, Cottonwood and several others provide excellent outdoor recreation. Marshall County Conservation District works to implement conservation practices that will preserve our soil and water for future generations.
Locally Led Success
Range & Pastureland Improvement
In 1997, Marshall County received National recognition with the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture of the North American Waterfowl Award. Thanks to a series of grants and helpful landowners, 87 small wildlife/livestock dams were built in Marshall County with more than 400 acres of wetlands restored. This project began with two Small Watershed Dam Projects with a goal to build several small dams that would help hold more water in the hills portion of the county so the plains portion of the county would have less flooded cropland acres. The benefits were improved water quantity and availability for better grazing distribution. Range and Pastureland Improvement projects followed the Small Watershed Dam Projects by providing cost share for cross-fencing and water development that encouraged rotational grazing systems. By improving grassland acres from poor/fair to good, we reduced water erosion, reduced chemical or fertilizer runoff and reduced the spread of noxious weeds. All of which contribute to improved water quality and improved wildlife habitat. Since 1997, range and pastureland projects have continued with about 15 additional new and restored small dams, 20 dugouts, and 6 pipeline watering facilities. About 16,000 acres of range and pastureland have been improved with cross fencing and a prescribed rotational grazing system. The conservation district is still a partner for a NAWCA Grant with USFWS and continues this project into 2005. Funding partners for the project were the SD Conservation Commission, FEMA, North American Wetlands Conservation Council, US Fish and Wildlife Service, SD Game Fish and Parks, Ducks Unlimited, and local landowners.

To contact Marshall County Conservation District, click here
Conservation District Board of Supervisors and Staff

Neil Bien Chairman Veblen, SD	Irwin Symens Vice Chairman Claremont, SD	James Grimsrud Supervisor Britton, SD
Arthur Steiner Supervisor Eden, SD	David Nelson Supervisor Langford, SD	John Knebel District Advisor Eden, SD
Darian Kilker District Advisor Britton, SD	Harland Peterson District Advisor Britton, SD	Walton Johnson District Advisor Britton, SD
Wanda Franzen District Manager Britton, SD

Photos courtesy USDA NRCS and SDACD Photo Contest
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