Watertown Regional (KATY), South Dakota
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Watertown Regional (KATY) serves the Watertown, South Dakota area with two long concrete runways capable of handling business jet traffic. The field is non-towered and operates with attended hours from 0430 to 2030 daily, offering both 100LL and Jet A fuel. Nearest customs clearance is available at KFSD, roughly 82 nautical miles away, since KATY has no onsite customs processing.
Runways
Watertown Regional has two paved runways. The longest, 12/30, is 6,898 ft long and 100 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Watertown Regional has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available from 4:30am to 8:30pm, daily, and the airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Watertown Regional does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Joe Foss Field (KFSD), 82 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Watertown Regional recorded 1,064 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in August. Business aviation traffic at KATY concentrates in the late spring through fall months, peaking in August according to FAA TFMSC data.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month August, 123 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Watertown Regional averages 4.1 days above 90°F in July, 31.0 freeze days in January and 3.3 snow days in December. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 82.0°F, and January the coldest, at 21.4°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Watertown Regional has published operating constraints in four categories: access, runway notes, pavement strength and other notes.
Glider operations occur from April through September.
Hay cutting operations occur annually from April through September; farming equipment may be present in the approaches.
Glider operations are prohibited on taxiway D.
MALSR is activated on runway 35. PAPI is available on runways 12, 17, 30, and 35. HIRL is installed on runway 17/35. MIRL is installed on runway 12/30. REIL is available on runways 12, 17, and 30, activated via CTAF.
PCR VALUE: 509/R/D/W/T
PCR VALUE: 491/R/D/W/T
Gulls and geese are present on and in the vicinity of the airport from April through November.
Airport surface conditions are not monitored between 2230 and 0430.
For clearance delivery, if unable to contact on the FSS frequency, contact Minneapolis ARTCC.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Watertown Regional has three airfields within 40 NM. The closest is Milbank Municipal, 31.37 NM northeast.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KATY
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KATY.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What runways are available at KATY / Watertown Regional?
Watertown Regional, identifier KATY, has two paved concrete runways. Runway 12/30 measures 6,898 feet long and 100 feet wide. Runway 17/35 measures 6,893 feet long and 100 feet wide. Both surfaces support jet traffic operating into this South Dakota field. Lighting includes HIRL on runway 17/35 and MIRL on runway 12/30, with REIL and PAPI available on multiple runway ends through CTAF activation.
Is fuel available at Watertown Regional (KATY)?
Watertown Regional, identified as KATY, stocks both 100LL and Jet A fuel. The field is attended daily from 0430 to 2030 local time. Dispatchers planning arrivals outside that window should account for the unattended period when coordinating fuel service. The airport sits at an elevation of 1,749 feet and offers a paved surface long enough, at 6,898 feet on runway 12/30, to support business jet operations.
Does KATY have gliders or wildlife activity affecting approaches?
Watertown Regional (KATY) reports both glider operations and wildlife concerns that pilots should note. Glider operations occur from April through September, and are prohibited on taxiway D. Separately, gulls and geese are reported on and in the vicinity of the airport from April through November. Farming equipment may also be present in the approaches during hay cutting operations, which run annually from April through September. Crews should factor these seasonal ground and airspace conditions into approach and departure planning at this South Dakota field.
How is surface condition monitoring handled overnight at Watertown Regional?
At Watertown Regional, identifier KATY, airport surface conditions are not monitored between 2230 and 0430 local time. Pilots operating during this overnight window should not expect updated field condition reporting. If flight data or clearance void communications cannot be established on the FSS frequency, pilots are advised to contact Minneapolis ARTCC instead. This applies specifically to overnight and off-hours operations at this non-towered South Dakota airport.
What is the customs situation for arrivals at KATY?
Watertown Regional, KATY, does not have onsite customs processing. The nearest customs facility is at KFSD, located approximately 82 nautical miles away. International arrivals or flights requiring customs clearance should plan routing through that facility rather than expecting service at Watertown itself. Dispatchers should build this diversion distance into fuel and routing calculations for any trip segment requiring customs at this South Dakota field.