SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — KELOLAND Media Group’s new KDLO Garden City tower is nearing its completion.
The project has been in the works since it was destroyed in an ice storm in December 2022.
The 1,705-foot KDLO tower collapsed in a winter storm because of ice accumulation. A second 800-foot tower collapsed a few hours later impacting over-the-air channels for 3.1 and 3.2 in northeastern South Dakota.
This week, construction of the new 1,705-foot tower is wrapping up and power is being turned on for the full antenna atop the tower.
Precision Communications crews said in 2023 the tower would be the tallest structure built in the United States that year.
The KDLO tower transmitted KELOLAND to towns such as Watertown, Sisseton, Aberdeen, Huron and Redfield. The transmission was a roughly 60-mile radius of the 1,705-foot tower.
KELOLAND Media Group Chief Engineer Brian Baier said cleanup and demolition of the old KDLO tower, which stood since 1978, started immediately after the storm.
KELOLAND is still available to viewers through DirecTV, Dish and other streaming services.
KELOLAND’s Karlee Phillips is in Clark County on Tuesday to highlight the finished the tower. You’ll find her full report on KELOLAND News Tuesday night and online.
