Olsen Dam dam
Olsen Dam
Olsen Dam, also known as Lake Suzanne, is a privately owned recreational water resource located in Escambia, Florida. Built in 1972 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at 12 feet high and spans 535 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 59 acre-feet and a surface area of 5 acres, Olsen Dam serves as a fish and wildlife pond while also providing opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Managed by the NWFWMD, Olsen Dam has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its overall condition. Despite its last inspection dating back to 1994, this earth dam remains a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. The dam is situated along the TR-Eleven Mile Creek, contributing to the overall drainage area of 0.43 square miles and offering a scenic backdrop for those interested in water resource and climate conservation.
As a part of the Mobile District, Olsen Dam is subject to state regulations and permitting requirements, ensuring its safety and compliance with environmental standards. While it may not have a spillway or outlet gates, the dam's design and construction by the Natural Resources Conservation Service reflect a commitment to sustainable water management. With its picturesque location and recreational offerings, Olsen Dam serves as a valuable asset for the community and a testament to the importance of preserving water resources in the face of climate change.
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 Olsen Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elevenmile Creek Near Pensacola | 26 cfs | → |
| Escambia River Nr Molino | 5,430 cfs | → |
| Bayou Marcus Creek Nr Pensacola | 13 cfs | → |
| Perdido River At Barrineau Park | 709 cfs | → |
| Styx River Near Elsanor | 460 cfs | → |
| Big Coldwater Creek Nr Milton | 523 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Olsen Dam.
Boat launches
- River Annex Road 243, Escambia County
- Beulah
- Becks Lake Road Escambia County
- Fairground Road 6599, Molino
- Webb Landing Road, Jay
- Mahogany Mill Road 1358, Escambia County
Campgrounds
- Blue Angel Naval Military - Pensacola Nas
- Oak Grove Military - Pensacola Nas
- Big Lagoon State Park
- Fort Pickens - Gulf Islands National Seashore
- Naval Live Oaks Group Camping
- Clear Creek Rv Military - Fort Knox
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Olsen 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 Olsen Dam
Where does the data for Olsen 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 Low 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 Olsen Dam.