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2017 Map of Pactola Dam

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Pactola Dam
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

Rapid Cr carves through the heart of the Black Hills National Forest, anchored by the massive Pactola Dam and the expansive Pactola Reservoir in the west. This 2017 survey shows a landscape of steep gulches and high points, where small communities like Johnson Siding and Hisega follow the river's path. The terrain is deeply inscribed with historical naming conventions, from the Gold Standard Gulch to Wild Irishman Gulch, reflecting the region's mining and prospecting heritage.

Infrastructure like the Thunderhead Falls Tunnel and the dense network of forest roads, including Victoria Lake Rd and Taylor Ranch Rd, facilitate movement through the complex topography of Mt Wheaton and Thrall Mtn. The map highlights a transition between the open waters of the reservoir and the narrow, winding corridors of Dark Canyon and Victoria Gulch to the southeast, providing a detailed look at the modern forest management and residential pockets within this protected wilderness.