East River (South Dakota)
Encyclopedia
The East River portion of South Dakota
refers to the section of the state lying east of the Missouri River
. Geographical distinctions between the eastern and western sections of the state were reinforced by distinct patterns of European settlement and Native American
resettlement during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The eastern half of South Dakota was heavily glaciated
and is largely covered by glacial till and loam
y soil, which has lent itself to agricultural uses. The Missouri River roughly follows the 100th meridian
in the state, and areas to the west of the meridian receive less rainfall. The East River region was generally capable of supporting homesteaders
on the standard 160-acre
plots of the era during the wetter-than average years between 1879 and 1885; prolonged droughts between 1886 and 1897, however, severely affected the region's farmers.
During the second half of the 19th century, about 350,000 emigrants from western and northern Europe settled to the east of the Missouri. The later European immigrants, however, predominantly from southern and eastern Europe, were concentrated in the West River
region.
About 70% of South Dakota's population in the 1990s was located in the East River region, including the state's largest city, Sioux Falls
.
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
refers to the section of the state lying east of the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
. Geographical distinctions between the eastern and western sections of the state were reinforced by distinct patterns of European settlement and Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
resettlement during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The eastern half of South Dakota was heavily glaciated
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
and is largely covered by glacial till and loam
Loam
Loam is soil composed of sand, silt, and clay in relatively even concentration . Loam soils generally contain more nutrients and humus than sandy soils, have better infiltration and drainage than silty soils, and are easier to till than clay soils...
y soil, which has lent itself to agricultural uses. The Missouri River roughly follows the 100th meridian
100th meridian west
The meridian 100° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, North America, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
in the state, and areas to the west of the meridian receive less rainfall. The East River region was generally capable of supporting homesteaders
Homestead Act
A homestead act is one of three United States federal laws that gave an applicant freehold title to an area called a "homestead" – typically 160 acres of undeveloped federal land west of the Mississippi River....
on the standard 160-acre
Acre
The acre is a unit of area in a number of different systems, including the imperial and U.S. customary systems. The most commonly used acres today are the international acre and, in the United States, the survey acre. The most common use of the acre is to measure tracts of land.The acre is related...
plots of the era during the wetter-than average years between 1879 and 1885; prolonged droughts between 1886 and 1897, however, severely affected the region's farmers.
During the second half of the 19th century, about 350,000 emigrants from western and northern Europe settled to the east of the Missouri. The later European immigrants, however, predominantly from southern and eastern Europe, were concentrated in the West River
West River (South Dakota)
West River is the portion of the state of South Dakota located west of the Missouri River with well over one-half of the land area and between one-quarter and one-third of the population of the state. Usually pronounced "Wes-triver" by locals, it contrasts with "East River."The contrast between...
region.
About 70% of South Dakota's population in the 1990s was located in the East River region, including the state's largest city, Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota. Sioux Falls is the county seat of Minnehaha County, and also extends into Lincoln County to the south...
.