Butte County issues drought declaration News StaffMay 20, 2021News courtesy US Drought MonitorThe new U.S. Drought Monitor Map shows Butte County in Severe and Extreme Drought. BELLE FOURCHE, S.D. – Due to a significant lack of rainfall, Butte County Commissioners have declared a natural disaster due to drought conditions within the county. During their meeting this week, commissioners reported the county has failed to receive any adequate precipitation over the past 12 months. The resolution passed by the commission says ‘the lack of consistent precipitation has resulted in the lack of rainwater runoff and caused livestock ponds, dams, and natural water holes to become severely depleted and abnormally low subsoil moisture, resulting in widespread crop losses.’