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1954 Map of Pactola Dam

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Pactola Dam
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1989
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1989

About this map

Pactola Reservoir and the winding course of Rapid Creek dominate this mid-century look at the Black Hills National Forest. The landscape is a complex network of steep gulches and high peaks, where historical land use is marked by an Abandoned Flume following the contours above the creek. In the eastern reaches, seasonal and educational outposts such as the Wheaton College Summer Camp, Placerville Camp, and Tomaha Camp suggest the area's role as a regional center for recreation and fieldwork.

Further south, the Bald Hills provide a contrast to the high timber of Thrall Mountain and Norris Peak. Small settlements and points of interest like Hisega and the Thunderhead Falls Tunnel reflect the localized infrastructure of the era. The presence of the Victoria Dam and multiple gaging stations along the waterways highlights the critical importance of water management in this part of South Dakota.