Popular Lake Southeast of Sioux Falls Undergoing Renovations

If you're thinking of doing a little swimming or perhaps some boating this summer, you will have one less Sioux Empire lake to choose from.

Lake Alvin, located 13 miles southeast of Sioux Falls is under construction at the moment.

As of Monday, (July 15), the popular Sioux Falls area lake is partially closed so that renovations can be made to portions of the park area.

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Dakota News Now reports that Lake Alvin sees roughly 120,000 people each year, but those numbers will drop significantly this year since its swimming beach and boat ramps were shut down for the summer season on Monday.

Derek Dorr, South Dakota regional supervisor, told Dakota News Now, “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."

Flood damage back in 2019 caused a great deal of damage to the spillway at Lake Alvin, and a large portion of the renovations being made over the next few months will be concentrated in that area.

Although renovations are now underway, Dakota News Now reports the public can still enjoy portions of Lake Alvin this summer. Visitors can still utilize its trails and you'll still be able to work on your tan lines by catching a few rays kicking back on its beach area.

Dorr reminds guests to please remember to use extreme caution. He told Dakota New Now, "The area’s not technically completely closed, but eventually, as the water goes down, it’ll be completely explanatory.”

Lake Alvin officials say the renovation project to the spillway, boat ramps, and beach areas should be fully completed next spring, hopefully by the end of May.

Source: Dakota News Now