Lost something in Watertown? Here is who holds found property.
One report to the Watertown Police Department, local transit, Watertown Regional Airport, and the Glacial Lakes Humane Society — plus active coverage across Watertown's lost and found communities. Your report stays active and keeps searching for a match throughout your entire search period.
What did you lose?
If there isn’t an adequate suggestion, select “Other – My item isn’t listed” and enter the item’s category. You can provide details later.
Publishing your report is free and your details stay private. The assisted search is a separate paid service, described in the Terms.
Recent activity
Across the United States
- Wrislet clutch gray/silver bag with documents · Chicago, IL, October 8
- Ring TM on top · Greensboro, NC, October 8
- Keys · Sarasota, FL, October 8
- Keys · Brookline, MA, October 7
- Camera · Monterey, CA, October 7
Local contact details reviewed on October 7, 2026.
How ReportLost works in Watertown
You report your loss
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We gather the details once, so you don't have to repeat them across a dozen different places.
We route it to the right places
Your report goes directly to the Watertown Police Department, Community Transit, Watertown Regional Airport, Glacial Lakes Humane Society (if a pet), and gets posted to local lost and found groups where Watertown residents are already looking.
Your report keeps searching for you
For 12 months, your report stays active and automatically checks new posts, marketplace listings, and found pet alerts. You'll get notified the moment a credible match appears, so you can move forward without checking Facebook groups and lost item sites every single day.
Where to report lost items in Watertown
The main places where lost items turn up, and how to file your own report
Watertown Police Department
The Police Department keeps a lost and found for items turned in by the public and found by officers on patrol. If you lose something in town, they're your first official contact. We generate a report tailored to their system and notify them directly on your behalf, so they know exactly what to look for.
Call the Police Department|Visit in person at 128 N. Maple St.
Community Transit of Watertown
Items left on Watertown's local buses are collected and held by Community Transit. Lost items on public transit often end up here within hours. We make sure your description reaches the right desk so they can spot your belongings if they come in.
Watertown Regional Airport (ATY)
Lost something at the airport, in the terminal, or on a flight departing from Watertown? The Regional Airport maintains its own lost and found office. We'll point you to the right desk and provide the information they need to search their system.
City Hall & Public Buildings
Lost something at a city office, library, recreation center, or other municipal building? City Hall can direct your inquiry to the right department and help coordinate a search. We'll ensure the report reaches the appropriate building manager.
Lost Pet Reporting (Glacial Lakes Humane Society)
If you've lost a dog, cat, or other pet in Watertown, the Glacial Lakes Humane Society is the shelter where found pets are brought and where lost pet reports are filed. They also coordinate with local Facebook groups for missing pets. For a streamlined experience with priority alerts, file a priority lost pet report.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Getting ahead of the search
The sooner you file a report, the sooner the search begins across all the places where your item might turn up. Once your report is live, you can step back and let the system work. You don't need to call the Police Department every day, check the airport, or monitor Facebook groups manually. Your report does that for you.
Report my lost item →Watertown is a connected community, but losing something valuable means navigating the Police Department, City Hall, Community Transit, the Regional Airport, and scattered Facebook groups all on your own. Each place has its own lost and found system, its own hours, and its own way of handling inquiries. If your item moves around or gets picked up by someone searching online, you might miss it because you're not monitoring every channel at once.
ReportLost simplifies the whole process. Submit your loss once, and we handle the routing, the alerts, and the continuous search. Your report doesn't disappear after a day or a week. It stays live across all the right channels in Watertown, automatically cross-referencing new found items and posts with your description. Once you've filed your report, you can focus on other things while your search continues in the background.
Common places where items go missing in Watertown
Knowing where you lost your item helps us route your report to the right location
Downtown Watertown & Main Street
Shops, restaurants, and offices in the heart of the city are common places for lost wallets, keys, and phones. Lost items here often end up with business owners or at City Hall.
Community Transit Bus Routes
Items left on buses are turned in to the Community Transit office. If you lost something while riding, the transit lost and found is your fastest route.
Watertown Regional Airport (ATY)
The airport's terminal and security checkpoint have their own lost and found. TSA also maintains a separate lost and found for items left at security.
City Parks & Recreation Areas
Outdoor spaces like parks and recreational facilities are where people often lose items. City Hall can help direct lost item reports to park management.
Retail & Dining Establishments
Local shops, restaurants, and stores frequently receive turned-in lost items. Building a report that reaches these locations (via the Police Department or City Hall) is key to recovery.
Lost and found communities in Watertown
Local Facebook groups and community pages where Watertown residents post and search
Active Facebook group dedicated to lost and found pets in the Watertown area
Broader South Dakota Facebook group covering lost items across the state, including Watertown
Official City of Watertown page where community notices and local alerts are shared
Police Department's official page, where lost and found notices and community alerts appear
Frequently asked questions about losing items in Watertown
How long does the Watertown Police Department hold lost items?
The Police Department typically holds lost and found items for a set period before disposing of or donating them. We recommend contacting them at 605-882-6210 to confirm current holding periods and to file your report right away.
What if I lost something on a Community Transit bus?
Call Community Transit at 605-882-5287 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM). Items are held at their office at 205 1st Avenue N.E. We'll make sure your report reaches them and stays active in case your item comes in later.
What happens if I lost something at Watertown Regional Airport?
Contact the airport directly at 605-882-6209 or visit the lost and found office at 550 Airport Drive. Airport lost and found items are usually held for a specific number of days. Report immediately to improve your chances of recovery.
Where can I check if a lost pet has been brought to the shelter?
Call the Glacial Lakes Humane Society at 605-882-2247 or visit them at 1305 6th Ave NW. They can tell you if a pet matching your description has been brought in. Also check the local Facebook group 'Missing Pets in Watertown SD and Surrounding Areas' for posted found pets.
How long will my report stay active if I use ReportLost?
Your report stays active for either 12 months, depending on your selection. During this entire period, your report automatically checks new found item posts, marketplace listings, and alerts across the places where Watertown residents are searching. You'll be notified if a credible match appears.
Is ReportLost.org an official service or does it replace contacting the police?
ReportLost is an independent service that simplifies and accelerates the process of reporting a lost item. We route your report to the right official channels, post to community networks, and maintain active search coverage on your behalf. However, you can always file a report directly with the Watertown Police Department at 605-882-6210 or visit them at 128 N. Maple St. ReportLost complements official channels, it doesn't replace them.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Start your search in Watertown right now
The sooner you report your loss, the sooner all the right places in Watertown are alerted and the automatic search begins. You'll have peace of mind knowing your report is working across the Police Department, transit, the airport, and local communities while you move forward.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Watertown Police Department, City of Watertown, Community Transit of Watertown, Watertown Regional Airport, Glacial Lakes Humane Society, or any other government or private entity mentioned. We route reports to these organizations on your behalf and maintain active search coverage, but we do not operate their lost and found systems. Always verify current procedures and contact these entities directly for the most up-to-date information.