Loading map...

2015 Map of Pactola Dam

Name: 2015 Topographic Map of Pactola Dam
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2015
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2015

About this map

Pactola Dam and the expansive Pactola Reservoir anchor this 2015 study of the central Black Hills, where the drainage of Rapid Creek carves through deep canyons and gulches. The landscape is defined by its complex water management and mining history, visible in features like the Thunderhead Falls Tunnel and the Powerhouse near Big Bend. Small settlements such as Hisega and McGee sit nestled in the valley floors, while the surrounding Black Hills National Forest is crisscrossed by specialized routes like the Gold Standard Gulch Centennial Trail.

High points including Mt Wheaton, Norris Peak, and the Bald Hills provide a look at the varied elevations of Pennington County. For local historians, the map details numerous named drainage features such as Wild Irishman Gulch and Dark Canyon, alongside access points like Victoria Lake Road and Custer Trails Road. This survey documents the intersection of modern recreation and the industrial legacy of the South Dakota hills.