Alligator Lake Dam dam
Alligator Lake Dam
Alligator Lake Dam, located in Columbia, Florida, is a private dam regulated by the state for recreation purposes. Standing at a height of 7 feet and stretching 3315 feet in length, this earth dam holds a storage capacity of 1932 acre-feet in Alligator Lake. The dam, situated on the ALLIGATOR LAKE river or stream, provides a surface area of 116 acres for recreational activities in the area.
Although the hazard potential and condition assessment of Alligator Lake Dam are currently labeled as undetermined and not rated, respectively, the dam remains under state regulation and inspection. Despite lacking specific information on its construction date and last inspection, the dam stands as a key structure for recreational enjoyment in the region. With its serene surroundings and ample surface area, Alligator Lake Dam offers a picturesque setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate.
As part of the Jacksonville District, Alligator Lake Dam is not associated with any federal agencies and operates solely for recreational purposes. While certain details like emergency action plans and risk assessments are marked as not available, the dam's primary function as a recreational site highlights its significance in water resource management and climate-related activities. For those interested in the intersection of water resources and climate, Alligator Lake Dam presents an intriguing opportunity to witness the beauty and utility of earth dams in Florida's landscape.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Alligator Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Suwannee River At White Springs | 28 cfs | → |
| Santa Fe River At O'Leno State Park Fla | 33 cfs | → |
| Ichetucknee R @ Hwy27 Nr Hildreth | 224 cfs | → |
| Santa Fe River At River Rise Nr High Springs | 40 cfs | → |
| Santa Fe River At Worthington Springs | · | → |
| Santa Fe River Nr Hildreth Fla | 739 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Alligator Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Southeast Boat Ramp Glen 120, Lake City
- Southeast Evergreen Drive 358, Lake City
- Southwest Baya Drive 578, Lake City
- Ocean Pond Boat Ramp
- Northwest 2nd Avenue 265, Lake Butler
- Cone Bridge Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Hog Pen Landing
- The Group Landing
- Ocean Pond
- Ocean Pond Campground
- Stephen Foster State Park
- Cobb Hunt Camp
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Ichetucknee Headspring To The First Powerline Crossing Over Ichetucknee River
- The First Powerline Crossing The Ichetuckee River To The Confluence With The Santa Fe River, Down The Santa Fe River To The Suwannee River
- The Little River Springs At River Mile 81 To The Mouth Of The River At The Gulf Of Mexico
- The Confluence Of The North Prong And Middle Prong To Trader's Hill
- State Highway 6 To The Confluence With The Suwannee River
Track Alligator Lake Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Alligator Lake Dam
Where does the data for Alligator Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Undetermined hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Alligator Lake Dam.