Desoto Pond Dam dam
Desoto Pond Dam
Desoto Pond Dam, located in Peace River Heights, Florida, is a state-owned structure completed in 1969 for recreational purposes. The dam, standing at a height of 13 feet, serves as a crucial component in regulating water levels on the Peace River, with a storage capacity of 228 acre-feet. Its controlled spillway ensures efficient water management and reduces the risk of downstream flooding in the area.
Despite its importance in water resource management, Desoto Pond Dam has been flagged with a high hazard potential due to its structural condition being labeled as "Not Rated." With a risk assessment ranking of "Very High (1)," there is a pressing need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety and reliability of the dam. The dam's location in DeSoto County, Florida, underlines the necessity for proactive measures in the face of climate change and increasing pressures on water resources in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is imperative to acknowledge the critical role of infrastructure like Desoto Pond Dam in safeguarding water security and mitigating the impacts of climate variability. By staying informed about the condition and management of such structures, enthusiasts can advocate for sustainable practices and policies to ensure the long-term resilience of water resources in the face of a changing climate.
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 Desoto Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shell Creek Near Punta Gorda Fl | 9 cfs | → |
| Prairie Creek On Cr 764 Near Punta Gorda Fl | 7 cfs | → |
| Shell Creek On Cr 764 Near Punta Gorda Fl | 16 cfs | → |
| Peace River At Nocatee Fl | 305 cfs | → |
| Horse Creek Near Arcadia Fl | 5 cfs | → |
| Joshua Creek At Nocatee Fl | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Desoto Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Southwest Reese Street 8644, Arcadia
- Southwest Riverside Drive 8645, Arcadia
- Washington Loop Road 35301, Punta Gorda
- Port Charlotte
- County Road 760 3162, Arcadia
- Ponce De Leon Park
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- A Point Approximately 1/2 Mile South Of Sr 771 At El Jobean To The River's Mouth In The Vicinity Of Hog Island
- A Point Just Upriver Of The Us 41 Highway Crossing To The Sarasota/Charlotte County Line
- Approximately River Mile 18 To A Point Just Upriver Of The Us 41 Highway Crossing
- Begins Downstream Of The State Road 72 Bridge To The Southern Boundary Of Myakka River State Park
- County Road 780 Bridge To State Road 72 Bridge
- Approximately At River Mile 23 Where Riverfront Residential Development Begins To The Vicinity Of Snook Haven Fish Camp At Approximately River Mile 18
More reservoirs
Track Desoto Pond 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 Desoto Pond Dam
Where does the data for Desoto Pond 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 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 Desoto Pond Dam.