Deerfield Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Deerfield Dam |
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 Location of Deerfield Dam in South Dakota
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| Country | United States |
| Location | Black Hills National Forest in Pennington County, South Dakota |
| Coordinates | 44°01′46″N 103°47′05″W / 44.029480°N 103.784830°W |
| Purpose | Irrigation and Municipal Water Supply |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 1942 |
| Opening date | 1947 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Castle Creek |
| Height | 171 ft. |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Deerfield Reservoir |
The Deerfield Dam is a large structure built across Castle Creek. It is located in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. This dam creates a big lake called Deerfield Reservoir, which is found within the Black Hills National Forest.
Contents
Building the Deerfield Dam
The Deerfield Dam is an earthen dam. This means it is made mostly of soil and rock. It was built by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. Construction started in 1942 and finished in 1947.
Who Built It?
Work on the dam began in July 1942. The Farm Security Administration started the project. Later, the Civilian Conservation Corps helped with construction. They worked under the Works Progress Administration during World War II.
Dam Size and Purpose
The dam stands 171 feet tall. Its main job was to store water for irrigation. This water helped farms in the surrounding Pennington County.
Deerfield Reservoir
The Deerfield Dam holds back water to form the Deerfield Reservoir. This reservoir is an important water source.
Reservoir Facts
The reservoir can hold a lot of water, about 15,700 acre-feet. It covers a surface area of 414 acres.
How the Reservoir Helps
The water from Deerfield Reservoir is used for several important things:
- It provides water for irrigation to help crops grow.
- It adds to the drinking water supply for Rapid City, South Dakota.
- It also supplies water for the nearby Ellsworth Air Force Base.
Fun at the Reservoir
Deerfield Reservoir is not just for water supply. It's also a great place for outdoor activities.
Recreation Opportunities
Many people visit the reservoir for fun. You can enjoy activities like:
- Fishing, including ice fishing in winter.
- Ice skating when the lake freezes over.
- Camping at nearby campgrounds.
The National Forest Service manages several areas around the lake. These areas offer public access for everyone to enjoy the outdoors.
