Sylvan Lake (South Dakota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sylvan Lake |
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Rock formations near lake
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 Sylvan Lake
Location in South Dakota
Sylvan Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Custer County, South Dakota, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°50′44.52″N 103°33′48.57″W / 43.8457000°N 103.5634917°W |
| Primary outflows | Sunday Gulch Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 17.3 acres (7.0 ha) |
| Average depth | 12.8 feet (3.9 m) |
| Max. depth | 30 feet (9.1 m) |
| Shore length1 | 1 mile (1.6 km) |
| Surface elevation | 6,145 feet (1,873 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Sylvan Lake is a beautiful lake found in Custer State Park, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, United States. It is a very popular spot for outdoor activities and enjoying nature.
Contents
Discover Sylvan Lake
How Sylvan Lake Was Made
Sylvan Lake was not always here naturally. It was created in 1881 by a person named Theodore Reder. He built a special wall, called a dam, across a stream known as Sunday Gulch Creek. This dam held back the water, which then formed the lake we see today. It's sometimes called the Sylvan Lake Water Dam.
Fun Things to Do at Sylvan Lake
This lake is a fantastic place for many different activities. You can enjoy picnics with your family and friends right by the water. If you like adventure, you can try rock climbing on the big rock formations nearby. You can also rent small boats, like paddleboats, to explore the lake. Swimming is a popular activity, especially on warm days.
Sylvan Lake is also a great starting point for hiking. Many trails begin here, leading to famous spots like Black Elk Peak (the highest point in South Dakota) and The Needles, which are tall, thin rock formations. A hotel used to operate on the shore of the lake a long time ago, in the early 1900s.
Sylvan Lake in Movies
Sylvan Lake even appeared in a big Hollywood movie! It was featured in Disney's 2007 film, National Treasure: Book of Secrets. In the movie, the lake looked like it was right behind Mount Rushmore. However, in real life, Sylvan Lake is actually about five miles southwest of Mount Rushmore.
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Swimming and other activities are popular at Sylvan Lake.
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Rock wall damming the northwest side of Sylvan Lake
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Path between rocks and lake
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Paddleboat on the lake
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View down from Sylvan Lake Water Dam to the Sunday Gulch Creek
