Boyd Dam dam
Boyd Dam
Boyd Dam, located in Escambia, Florida, along the Bellshead Branch river, was completed in 1940 and serves multiple purposes including irrigation and recreation. With a height of 11 feet and a length of 320 feet, this earth dam has a maximum storage capacity of 64 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 48 acre-feet. The dam is owned privately and is regulated by the state of Florida, with permitting, inspection, and enforcement all carried out by state agencies.
Despite its low hazard potential, Boyd Dam is considered to have a moderate risk level, with a risk assessment rating of 3. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, and has not been inspected since May 1994. While the dam is not currently rated for its condition, the risk management measures and emergency preparedness protocols for Boyd Dam are not specified in the available data. Additionally, there is no information regarding the presence of an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) or its compliance with guidelines.
Overall, Boyd Dam is a significant structure in the region, providing essential water resources for irrigation and offering recreational opportunities for visitors. As a privately owned dam with state regulation, it is crucial for ongoing monitoring and assessment of its condition to ensure public safety and mitigate any potential risks associated with its operation. Climate and water resource enthusiasts may find Boyd Dam an intriguing subject for further study on dam management and emergency preparedness in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Boyd Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bayou Marcus Creek Nr Pensacola | 13 cfs | → |
| Elevenmile Creek Near Pensacola | 23 cfs | → |
| Escambia River Nr Molino | 5,000 cfs | → |
| Perdido River At Barrineau Park | 542 cfs | → |
| Styx River Near Elsanor | 346 cfs | → |
| Yellow River Nr Milton | 2,590 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Boyd Dam.
Boat launches
- Mahogany Mill Road 1358, Escambia County
- Sanders Beach Complex
- North 17th Avenue Pensacola
- East Mallory Street 2301-2399, Pensacola
- Weller Avenue 2898, Escambia County
- Gulf Breeze
Campgrounds
- Oak Grove Military - Pensacola Nas
- Fort Pickens - Gulf Islands National Seashore
- Blue Angel Naval Military - Pensacola Nas
- Naval Live Oaks Group Camping
- Big Lagoon State Park
- Outpost Campsites
Fishing spots
Track Boyd 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 Boyd Dam
Where does the data for Boyd 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.