Pactola Lake in Pennington County, South Dakota
Pactola Lake in Pennington County, South Dakota
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Pactola Lake in Pennington County, South Dakota
This lake has 8 Layers or 15 Layers for HD Version
Pactola Lake is the largest and deepest reservoir in the Black Hills, encompassing 823 acres with an impressive maximum depth of 150 feet and an average depth of 56 feet, located just 15 miles west of Rapid City, South Dakota. Constructed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program and authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1944, Pactola Dam was built between 1952 and 1956 to provide a reliable water supply for the rapidly growing city of Rapid City, whose existing wells were being exhausted by heavy use. The construction required the movement of more than 4.3 million cubic yards of embankment fill and resulted in the inundation of the historic mining town of Pactola, whose name originated from the Pactolus River in ancient Lydia (modern-day Turkey), famous for gold found in its bed and bestowed upon the valley by miners following the Black Hills Gold Rush of 1874-1877. The five-mile-long reservoir features 16 miles of pristine shoreline stretching through the heart of Black Hills National Forest, with U.S. Route 385 running along the dam's crest and the small town of Silver City located at the upstream western end. Following severe thunderstorms in 1972 that caused devastating flooding in Rapid City, the dam underwent critical safety modifications, with additional improvements completed in 1987 to ensure the structure's integrity. The dam and waters are managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, while the surrounding land is administered by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the 1.25 million-acre Black Hills National Forest, derived from the Lakota words "Paha Sapa," meaning "hills that are black," honoring the dark pine-covered hills rising thousands of feet above the surrounding prairie
Pactola Lake is renowned as a premier fishing destination where record lake trout are caught annually, along with large brown trout that thrive in Rapid Creek both above and below the reservoir. The deep, cold waters are stocked with rainbow trout, lake trout, and brown trout, while the diverse fishery also supports kokanee salmon (one of only three locations in the entire Midwest where these fish can be found), largemouth bass, rock bass, crappie, northern pike, yellow perch, and bluegill. The spillway beneath the dam has earned a stellar reputation for exceptional fly fishing opportunities. The full-service Pactola Pines Marina, opened in 2000 at Custer Gulch on the south shore with capacity for 200 boats, offers pontoon and fishing boat rentals, canoes, paddleboards, kayaks, gasoline, groceries, food service, and supplies, making the lake a mecca for boaters of all types with no restrictions on motorized watercraft. An 88-unit campground nestled in pine trees along the south shore provides sites for tents, trailers, and RVs, while a group campground accommodates larger gatherings, and facilities include two boat launches, a swim beach, picnic areas, vault toilets, drinking water, and fire rings. The Pactola Visitor Center on the south side of the dam operates seasonally, offering interpretive exhibits about dam construction, forest management, and the region's glacial history. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the 2.2-mile Osprey Trail featuring two loops and a spur to a breathtaking overlook where hikers can watch ospreys and bald eagles soaring over the lake, while portions of the 111-mile Centennial Trail (running from Bear Butte State Park to Wind Cave National Park) and the Deerfield Trail provide additional hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and mountain biking opportunities. Adventure seekers flock to Jenny Gulch for cliff jumping into the crystal-clear waters, while scuba divers can explore the limited remains of the submerged town of Pactola beneath the surface, making this stunning reservoir a year-round destination for fishing, boating, camping, swimming, hiking, wildlife viewing, and embracing the natural beauty of South Dakota's Black Hills
Dimensions:
Small: 8"x12"
Medium: 12"x18"
Large: 16"x24"
Extra Large: 20"x30"
XX Large: 24"x36"
Gigantic 30"x45"
HD Extra Large: 20"x30" - 15 Layers
HD XX Large: 24"x36" - 15 Layers
HD Gigantic 30"x45" - 15 Layers
The difference between standard and HD maps is the number of layers. Standard maps have 1 land layer and 7 water layers. " The HD lake maps have 1 land layer and 14 water layers. So twice the detail. The HD Maps are limited to Extra Large, " XX Large, and Gigantic sizes only. On the smaller sizes the depth change of the wood is too extreme and you end up losing detail.
Cribbage Boards - 10"x14" - Your choice of Maple or Cherry wood, 2 or 3 runs, and your choice of peg colors.
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About our Maps
Every map is designed and built in Minnesota. Nothing is outsourced and nothing is imported.
- Designed in-house. All art files are created by me, not purchased or reused
- True layered 3D construction. Not engraved or printed
- More layers, more detail. Most competitors use 3 to 7 layers. These use 8 or 15 layers
- Original blue depth gradient. Light to dark blue shows water depth clearly
- Handmade hardwood frames. Built from locally sourced rough sawn lumber, not pre-made frames
These are built to be the most accurate and most detailed 3D lake maps available.
Horn Dog Maps vs Others
True layered 3D construction
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: Sometimes
Designed in-house (no purchased files)
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: Sometimes
Etsy Sellers: No
Made in Minnesota
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Number of layers
Horn Dog Maps: 8 or 15
Other Companies: 3 to 7
Etsy Sellers: 3 to 7
Blue depth gradient water
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Handmade hardwood frame included
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Uses multiple depth data sources
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: Sometimes
Etsy Sellers: No
Custom lakes without delays
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Connection to the lakes
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these actually 3D or just engraved?
These are true 3D layered maps.
- Made from 1/8 inch Baltic birch
- Standard maps have 8 layers. 1 land layer and 7 water layers
- HD maps have 15 layers. 1 land layer and 14 water layers
Each water layer uses a light to dark blue gradient so depth changes are easy to see.
Where are these made?
Everything is made in my shop in Minnesota.
- Design
- Cutting
- Painting
- Assembly
- Frame building
The frames start as locally sourced rough sawn hardwood and are built from scratch.
Do you use real depth data?
Yes, as an angler and map nerd, accuracy matters to me. I use multiple data sources, up to six, to find the most accurate lake contours available.
I would not hang an inaccurate map in my house and I will not send one to yours.
Why buy from Horn Dog Maps instead of Etsy or marketplace sellers?
Most marketplace sellers:
- Buy pre-made cut files, often from overseas
- Have no connection to the lakes
- Cannot verify accuracy
- Have long delays if a file is not available
This leads to lower accuracy and longer lead times, often 6 to 8 weeks.
Because I design everything myself:
- I can create a new lake mockup in about 30 minutes
- You get a more accurate map, faster
What is your lead time?
Most orders ship in 1.5 to 2 weeks depending on the time of year.
Tell me about the Cribbage Boards
These are different from the layered maps and are not something you will find elsewhere.
- Made from a solid piece of Maple or Cherry
- The lake is engraved as if drained
- Then filled with blue tinted epoxy that is still transparent
You can see:
- Channels
- Humps
- Points
- Structure
Additional features:
- 2 or 3 track options
- Choice of peg colors
- Hidden peg storage with a magnetic dovetail slider
- Rubber feet so it does not slide on the table
It is a functional game board and a detailed lake model in one.