Near Canistota in McCook County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Dam and Spillway

Lake Vermillion Recreation Area

February 11, 2024

1. Dam and Spillway Marker

Inscription. The dam was constructed and completed in 1958. Water flowed over the spillway for the first time on March 29, 1960, creating the lake. During this same time frame the Department of Game Fish and Parks purchased 1,540 acres of land to create the recreation area. Lake Vermillion itself is 512 acres, with a depth of 25 feet. It is 1/3 mile wide at the widest point and features 11 miles of shoreline. The dam was the largest engineering project ever undertaken by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks at the time.

Erected by South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is March 29, 1960.

Location. 43° 35.642′ N, 97° 10.631′ W. Marker is near Canistota, South Dakota, in McCook County. It can be reached from Adventure Drive east of North Drive, on the left when traveling east. Located along Otter Stream Trail in Lake Vermillion Recreation Area (fee area). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 26140 451st Ave, Canistota SD 57012, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in East River

and in Greater Sioux Falls.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Otter Stream (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rumpus Ridge (approx. 1.1 miles away); Pumpkin Center (approx. 5.7 miles away); Canistota Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.9 miles away); Our Lady of Perpetual Help (St. Mary's) Catholic Church (approx. 11.6 miles away); Marion School (approx. 12.6 miles away); Marion Veterans Memorial (approx. 12.7 miles away); Doug Horsted (approx. 12.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canistota.

View of Lake Vermillion from the marker image. Click for full size.

February 11, 2024

2. View of Lake Vermillion from the marker

Dam and Spillway Marker, from the south image. Click for full size.

February 11, 2024

3. Dam and Spillway Marker, from the south

Dam and Spillway Marker, from the north image. Click for full size.

February 11, 2024

4. Dam and Spillway Marker, from the north

Lake Vermillion Dam image. Click for full size.

February 11, 2024

5. Lake Vermillion Dam

Lake Vermillion Spillway image. Click for full size.

February 11, 2024

6. Lake Vermillion Spillway

Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2024. This page has been viewed 544 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 2, 2024.