Pactola Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pactola Lake |
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 Pactola Lake
Location in South Dakota
Pactola Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pennington County, South Dakota |
| Coordinates | 44°04′23″N 103°29′35″W / 44.073°N 103.493°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Surface area | 1,232 acres (4.99 km2) |
| Average depth | 55 ft (17 m) |
| Max. depth | 200 ft (61 m) |
| Water volume | 54,000 to 94,000 acre⋅ft (67 to 116 hm3) |
| Shore length1 | 16 mi (26 km) |
| Surface elevation | 4,655 ft (1,419 m) above sea level at the top of the spillway |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Pactola Lake is the biggest man-made lake, also known as a reservoir, in the Black Hills of South Dakota, United States. It was created by building the Pactola Dam. Work on the dam started on November 25, 1952, and it was finished on August 15, 1956.
Many people believe there's a town at the bottom of Pactola Lake, but that's a myth! The area was completely cleared and cleaned before the lake was filled with water. Any buildings that were still there when the dam was finished were moved or sold. The only old structure left under the water is a small dynamite bunker from a Civilian Conservation Corps camp.
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About Pactola Lake
Pactola Lake is located on Rapid Creek in Pennington County, South Dakota. This lake is very important because it provides drinking water for the Rapid City area. The US Bureau of Reclamation owns and operates the lake. However, the fun recreational areas are managed by the US Forest Service. It is a popular spot within the Black Hills National Forest.
The dam across Rapid Creek is very large. It was made even bigger after the Black Hills Flood of 1972. The water levels in the lake can change a lot. This is because the lake is used for many things. It helps control floods, provides water for homes, keeps the creek flowing, and helps with irrigation for farms.
Fun Activities at the Lake
Pactola Lake is a great place for outdoor activities. Boating and fishing are very popular here. There's even a special area below the dam for fly fishing where you can walk right up to the creek.
The lake has many facilities for visitors to enjoy. These include a marina where you can dock boats, a nice swimming beach, and several campgrounds. There are also special group campgrounds on the south shore. On the north shore, you'll find more campgrounds and a fishing path designed for people with disabilities. Plus, there are many picnic spots and scenic overlook areas.
In the summer, the US Forest Service runs a visitor center right on the dam. You can easily reach it from US Highway 385.
Getting to Pactola Lake
Pactola Lake is easy to get to. You can take US Highway 385 if you're coming from Hill City, South Dakota or Sheridan Lake Forks (northbound). If you're coming from Lead or Deadwood, you can take US Highway 385 southbound.
Another way to reach the lake is by taking the Rimrock Highway. This road is also known as SD Highway 44 and comes from Rapid City, South Dakota. During the summer, there are fees to use some of the facilities at the lake.
Year-Round Fun
Pactola Lake offers different activities depending on the season. In the summer, people love to go boating, both with powerboats and sailboats. Fishing, swimming, and other outdoor adventures are also very popular.
When winter arrives, the lake transforms into a snowy playground. People enjoy ice-fishing, ice-skating, and even some cross-country skiing on the frozen lake and surrounding areas.
Nearby Communities
There are a few small towns located near Pactola Lake. The town of Silver City is found at the upstream end of the lake. Downstream from the dam, along the Rimrock Highway and Rapid Creek, you'll find other communities. These include Johnson Siding, Hisega, Upper Hisega, Placerville, and Big Bend.
