The Missouri River Basin recorded its eighth year of drought in 2007, which resulted in Yankton's Gavins Point Dam releasing less water than any time in history. 

The Army Corps of Engineers says releases there were the lowest since the system was filled in 1967, a trend that will continue in 2008.

The reduced flows will result in a significant reduction in hydropower generation, from a normal 10 billion to only 6.5 billion kilowatt hours of electricity.

In 2007, both the December and total generation for the year were record lows. The regulation of the six main Missouri River dams this year anticipates releasing only enough water to provide minimum navigation flows for the entire season.