As other rivers run low, South Dakota lawmakers are keeping an eye on how much water is being taken out of the Missouri River

The Executive Board of the South Dakota Legislature recently heard an overview of water rights and management of the Missouri River in South Dakota.

Senior Research Analyst Anna Madsen says larger water projects need to be approved by the legislature.

Madsen says there are 266 current and future water rights requests for the Missouri in South Dakota.

There is some concern about water from the Missouri River being diverted to places like the Colorado River to address low levels in that river.

Lawmakers like Representative and House Majority Leader Will Mortenson of Pierre are curious about what state law says in regard to diverting water from the Missouri River.