Control Structure 3 dam
Control Structure 3
Control Structure 3, also known as Michaels Dam, is a vital flood risk reduction infrastructure located in Orange County, Florida. Completed in 1965, this earth dam stands at a towering height of 26 feet and spans 1100 feet in length. With a maximum discharge capacity of 20,440 cubic feet per second, Control Structure 3 plays a crucial role in managing water levels along the Little Econlockhatchee River.
Owned and regulated by the local government, Control Structure 3 is designed to withstand high hazard potential events while maintaining a satisfactory condition assessment. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with a normal storage capacity of 117 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 1,929 acre-feet. Despite its age, this essential structure continues to be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure its effectiveness in protecting the surrounding areas, including the city of Orlando.
With its strategic location and significant impact on water management in the region, Control Structure 3 serves as a critical piece of infrastructure in the fight against flooding and climate-related challenges in Orange County, Florida. Its impressive design, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance make it a key player in safeguarding communities and ecosystems along the Little Econlockhatchee River.
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 Control Structure 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Econlockhatchee R. At Sr434 Nr Oviedo | 21 cfs | → |
| Little Econlockhatchee R Nr Union Park | 77 cfs | → |
| Howell Creek Nr Slavia | 1 cfs | → |
| Econlockhatchee River Nr Oviedo | 48 cfs | → |
| Howell Creek Nr Altamonte Springs | 2 cfs | → |
| Howell Creek At Sr434 Nr Oviedo | 39 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Control Structure 3.
Boat launches
- South Lakemont Avenue 2088-2098, Winter Park
- Lake Underhill Road 4257-4299, Orlando
- Seminole County
- Quayside Circle 206, Maitland
- Northeast Ivanhoe Boulevard 224-362, Orlando
- South Ferncreek Avenue 4892-5004, Orlando
Campgrounds
- Lake Mills Park Camping
- Moss/Split Oak
- Moss Park Campground
- Mullet Lake County Park
- Mullet Lake Boat Ramp
- Turkey Lake City Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Segment B--Alexander Springs Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With St. Johns River
- Segment A--Mouth Of Spring On Ocala Nf To Alexander Springs Wilderness Boundary
- Segment B--Bridge On Sh 19 To Confluence With Lake George
- Segment A--Mouth Of Spring On Ocala Nf (At Juniper Springs Wilderness) To Bridge On Sh 19 (At Wilderness Boundary)
Track Control Structure 3 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 Control Structure 3
Where does the data for Control Structure 3 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 High 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 Control Structure 3.