Pactola Dam, Embankment dam in Pennington County, United States.
The Pactola Dam spans Rapid Creek, forming the largest reservoir in the Black Hills with a water surface exceeding 1,200 acres.
Federal authorities constructed Pactola Dam between 1952 and 1956, using more than 4.3 million cubic yards of earth and rock materials.
The dam's name comes from the former mining settlement of Pactola, which referenced the gold-rich Pactolus River of ancient Lydia.
The structure provides flood control, irrigation water, and municipal water supply for Rapid City while supporting recreational activities throughout the year.
The reservoir submerged the original mining town of Pactola, leaving limited remains that scuba divers can now explore beneath the water surface.
Location: Pennington County
GPS coordinates: 44.07110,-103.48600
Latest update: March 13, 2025 19:10
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