What remains open during Lake Alvin’s renovation?

LINCOLN COUNTY, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – A popular lake in the Dakota News Now viewing area that officials say sees about 120,000 people each year put a hold on its swim beach and boat ramps on Monday.

This week, officials from South Dakota Game Fish & Parks began to limit access to varying activities that have to do with water at Lake Alvin. This comes as they are preparing for months of renovations ahead.

“The south entrance into Lake Alvin will be shut down because of equipment and materials that will be stockpiled there, as well as the shelter area. That whole parking lot will be shut down as well for work,” said Derek Dorr, South Dakota regional supervisor.

The renovations include repairs to the spillway. Officials say this area saw extensive damage from floods back in 2019. The money for the work is coming from FEMA.

“We’ve secured the funds to do this so that generations in the future will really be able to enjoy the area,” said Dorr.

As water begins to recede slowly from the lake, there are plenty of activities that Lake Alvin visitors can take part in, such as trails and sunbathing at the beach.

“We’re just asking people to use extreme caution. The area’s not technically completely closed, but eventually, as the water goes down, it’ll be completely explanatory,” said Dorr.

Officials say their biggest concern is people getting stuck in the mud as the water continues to go down.

As they look to the long months ahead, they say that even ice fishermen can utilize the lake, but they urge people to still remain cautious of the sticky sediment.

“There is going to be a lot of construction going on. This lake has had a lot of water quality issues.”

Officials say that the spillway elevations, access to the public beach and boat ramps will be restored this upcoming spring around May.

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