Clear Springs Fortner Lake dam
Clear Springs Fortner Lake
Clear Springs Fortner Lake is a privately owned water resource located in Polk, Florida, near the city of Bartow. This Earth dam was completed in 1977 and serves primarily as a tailings storage facility with a maximum storage capacity of 600 acre-feet. The reservoir has a surface area of 35 acres and is situated along the Peace River, under the jurisdiction of the Jacksonville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
The dam at Clear Springs Fortner Lake stands at a height of 17 feet, with a structural height of 12 feet and a length of 200 feet. While the dam is currently rated as having significant hazard potential, its condition assessment is listed as "Not Rated." The outlet gates are uncontrolled, and the spillway type and width are not specified. Despite being regulated by the state and subject to inspections, the facility does not have an emergency action plan in place.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Clear Springs Fortner Lake presents a fascinating case study in dam infrastructure management and regulatory oversight. With its location along the Peace River and its significance as a tailings storage facility, the lake serves as a critical water resource in the region. Understanding the complexities of its design, purpose, and potential risks underscores the importance of proactive monitoring and management practices to ensure the safety and sustainability of this vital water source.
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 Clear Springs Fortner Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Peace River At Clear Springs Near Bartow Fl | · | → |
| Sixmile Creek At Bartow Fl | 2 cfs | → |
| Barber Branch Near Homeland Fl | 1 cfs | → |
| Peace River Near Homeland Fl | 0 cfs | → |
| Peace River Near Bartow Fl | 0 cfs | → |
| Peace River At Bartow Fl | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Clear Springs Fortner Lake.
Boat launches
- Doc Lindsey Road 2215-2837, Fort Meade
- East Eagle Avenue 942, Eagle Lake
- West Eagle Avenue, Eagle Lake
- Lake Shipp Drive 1605-1699, Winter Haven
- 7th Street Southwest 1849, Winter Haven
- Lake Sears Drive 102, Winter Haven
Campgrounds
- Saddle Creek County Park
- Circle F Dude Ranch Camp - Summer Camp & Outdoor Education Center
- Backpack Campsite
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 4
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 3
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 1
Fishing spots
Track Clear Springs Fortner Lake 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 Clear Springs Fortner Lake
Where does the data for Clear Springs Fortner Lake 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 Significant 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 Clear Springs Fortner Lake.