Category: Sights  Listing Date: 2014-06-09

Pactola Lake

One of the best ways to see Pactola Lake is by boat. Bring your own or rent one from Pactola Pines Marina. Bring yor camera, fishing pole, water skis or just relax. It's easy to see why the locals spend their weekends at Pactola and why vacationers return year after year.

Could it get any better?

Construction of Pactola Dam began in 1952 and was completed in 1956. The 245 foot "earthfill" structure hides the site of the town of Pactola, first settled in 1875. The settlement was later referred to as Camp Crook, named after General Crook who made his headquarters there while chasing miners out of the Hills in 1876 because the land belonged to the Sioux. (from The Bureau of Reclamation)

After a severe thunderstom In 1972 the city of Rapid City was flooded, the dam was modified. The largest modification to the dam was completed in 1987 and raised the dam 15 feet to it's current height.

Today, Pactola Dam provides excellent recreation opportunities for the public. Reclamation, the U.S. Forest Service and the South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks work together to provide the public with one of the best sites in the Black Hills. (from The Bureau of Reclamation)

One of the best ways to see Pactola Lake is by boat. Bring your own or rent one from Pactola Pines Marina. Bring yor camera, fishing pole, water skis or just relax. It's easy to see why the locals spend their weekends at Pactola and why vacationers return year after year.