From a classroom to the field
Started with one long reach
Sam Crittenden and Ethan Peterson first met in an explosives engineering class at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. After graduating, they founded Black River in 2020, starting with farm and ranch work across Western South Dakota.
Their first major purchase was a long-reach excavator. It let them reach silted-in ponds and drainages that conventional machines couldn't, working from the bank with no need to get into the water or soft ground.
Since then Black River has grown into a full-service civil operation with a modern fleet, an in-house repair shop, and an office team, while staying lean enough that customers still talk directly to the people running the work.
Meet the founders
President
Sam Crittenden
- U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
- B.S. Mining Engineering, 2019
A former Marine infantry rifleman, Sam moved into mining and construction after his service and earned his degree in Mining Engineering from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. He leads operations, business development, and the company's growth.
Vice President
Ethan Peterson
- Mining & heavy equipment operations
- B.S. Mining Engineering, 2019
Ethan brings more than ten years of experience in mining, construction, and heavy equipment operation. A South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Mining Engineering graduate, he oversees field operations and equipment management.
How we got here
- The classroom
Two Mines engineers
Sam Crittenden and Ethan Peterson meet in an explosives engineering class at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.
- 2020
Black River is founded
The company starts with farm and ranch work across Western South Dakota.
- First big buy
A long-reach excavator
Reaching silted-in ponds and drainages that conventional machines could not, working from the bank.
- Today
Full-service civil
A growing fleet, an in-house repair shop, and an office team supporting crews across the region.
Mission-driven. Locally rooted. Built to perform.
Veteran-Owned & Operated
We are a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). The values of military service — discipline, accountability, and doing the job right — shape how we run every jobsite.
Modern Equipment Fleet
Well-maintained machines and an in-house repair shop keep equipment running and projects on schedule, including the specialty long-reach assets we are known for.
Built for This Region
We know the soils, weather, and terrain of Western South Dakota because we live and work here. We do not send in outside crews.
Long reach excavation for ranch & agricultural properties
We work from the bank — no need to get into the water or soft ground.
- Stock pond cleanout
- Drainage clearing
- Dam cleanout & repair
- Bank-side operation
- Steep or wet terrain
- Farm & ranch site improvements
Find your career
We are hiring operators, pipe layers, mechanics, and laborers who take pride in clean, safe, on-time work.