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Map of Pactola Reservoir
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IntermediateBoth

Pactola Reservoir

South Dakota, United States
Open Water suggested5–27 m depthBoth entry

Pactola Reservoir at a glance

Pactola Reservoir is a intermediate both dive site in South Dakota, United States with depths of 4.5–27 m (15–89 ft). Typically most favorable Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Rainbow trout, Rock bass, and Northern pike. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Wind model · graded 4h ago
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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Altitude diving (~1,400 m), cold thermocline, steep rocky entries, boat and tuber traffic, zebra mussels (decontaminate gear)

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Mon
Sun6:00–21:00
Mon20:00–21:00
Tue6:00–21:00
Wed6:00–21:00
Thu6:00–21:00
Fri6:00–21:00
Sat—

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:02 · Sunrise 5:35 · Sunset 20:24

Source: Open-Meteo wind · graded 4h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

What Divers Say

Known for: Rainbow trout, Rock bass, Crayfish
Best time: July through September

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. Jan84% 10 kn
  2. Feb81% 11 kn
  3. Mar82% 11 kn
  4. Apr79% 11 kn
  5. May86% 11 kn
  6. Jun94% 9 kn
  7. Jul98% 9 kn
  8. Aug100% 9 kn
  9. Sep96% 9 kn
  10. Oct90% 10 kn
  11. Nov79% 11 kn
  12. Dec71% 13 kn

August hastypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

  • Rainbow troutCommonly seen
  • Rock bassCommonly seen
  • Northern pikeOccasionally seen
  • CrayfishCommonly seen
  • Brown troutOccasionally seen
  • Zebra mussel (invasive)Commonly seen

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km. Know one? Add it to the map.

Site details

The largest and deepest reservoir in the Black Hills (about 800 acres, up to 150 ft deep), 15 miles west of Rapid City, flooded over the 1950s gold-rush-era town of Pactola. Divers explore remnants of the old town site, a dynamite bunker, railroad bed and CCC-camp structure, with roughly ten recognized dive spots from 15 to 90 ft; common entries are the swim beach at Pactola Point, the dam and the trail below the visitor center. Water is clear for the region (20-25 ft visibility) with a sharp thermocline around 40 ft, and this is a high-altitude dive at roughly 4,600 ft elevation.

boatshorewall

Altitude diving (~1,400 m), cold thermocline, steep rocky entries, boat and tuber traffic, zebra mussels (decontaminate gear)

Reviews

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