Lake Ryan Dam dam
Lake Ryan Dam
Lake Ryan Dam, located in Clay County, Florida, is a private dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Built in 1969, this earth dam stands at 29 feet high and spans 250 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 81 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the TR-Black Creek river and is under state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Despite its scenic location and recreational appeal, the dam is rated as having a high hazard potential and poor condition assessment as of September 2020.
The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in August 2021, indicating ongoing efforts to ensure public safety in the event of a catastrophic failure. With uncontrolled outlet gates and a surface area of 6 acres, the dam poses significant risks that should be addressed through proper risk management measures. Located within the jurisdiction of the Jacksonville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Ryan Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and monitoring critical infrastructure in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing water resource challenges.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate change can appreciate Lake Ryan Dam as a case study in the intersection of recreational development, environmental stewardship, and emergency preparedness. As one of the many dams across the country facing challenges related to aging infrastructure and heightened hazard potential, Lake Ryan Dam serves as a focal point for discussions on sustainable water management practices and the need for proactive risk assessment and mitigation strategies 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 Lake Ryan Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Black Creek Nr Penney Farms | 13 cfs | → |
| North Fork Black Creek Nr Middleburg | 25 cfs | → |
| Ortega River At Kirwin Rd Nr Jacksonville | 5 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At San Juan Ave At Jacksonville | 27 cfs | → |
| Julington Crk At Old St August Rd Nr Bayard | 169 cfs | → |
| Pottsburg Creek Nr South Jacksonville | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Ryan Dam.
Boat launches
- Main Street 3772, Middleburg
- Old Ferry Road 2231, Green Cove Springs
- Highway 17 1973, Green Cove Springs
- Avenue A 16, Starke
- Longview Drive South 14688, Jacksonville
- Hood Landing Road 12903, Jacksonville
Campgrounds
- Camp Blanding Rv Military
- Jacksonville Nas Rv Military
- Mike Roess Gold Head State Park
- Camp Crystal Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The Confluence Of The North Prong And Middle Prong To Trader's Hill
- Begins Approximately 1 Mile Upstream Of Flea Hill, Georgia To The Bells River Confluence
- Begins Approximately 1 Mile Downstream Of U.S. 301 Crossing To Ends Approximately 1 Mile Upstream Of Flea Hill, Georgia
- Trader's Hill To Ends Approximately 1 Mile Downstream Of U.S. 301 Crossing
Track Lake Ryan 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 Lake Ryan Dam
Where does the data for Lake Ryan 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 Lake Ryan Dam.