Fm 3 (Fort Meade) dam
Fm 3 (Fort Meade)
Fm 3 (Fort Meade) is a privately owned dam located in Polk, Florida with a primary purpose of tailings disposal. Completed in 1974, this earth dam stands at a height of 50 feet and has a length of 13,500 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 14,000 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 12,600 acre-feet, Fm 3 plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Fm 3 is regulated and permitted by the state of Florida, with inspections and enforcement measures in place to ensure its safety and proper functioning. The dam is located in close proximity to Fort Meade and is under the jurisdiction of the Jacksonville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. In the event of an emergency, the dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment information remain undisclosed.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Fm 3 (Fort Meade) an interesting case study in dam infrastructure management. The dam's unique location and purpose, combined with its historical significance and regulatory oversight, make it a valuable asset in the region's water resource management efforts. As discussions around climate change and water scarcity continue to grow, understanding the role of dams like Fm 3 becomes increasingly important in ensuring the sustainable use and conservation of water resources for future generations.
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 Fm 3 (Fort Meade) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Peace River At Fort Meade Fl | 4 cfs | → |
| Whidden Creek Near Fort Meade Fl | 7 cfs | → |
| Peace River Near Homeland Fl | 3 cfs | → |
| Barber Branch Near Homeland Fl | 2 cfs | → |
| Sixmile Creek At Bartow Fl | 2 cfs | → |
| Peace River At Clear Springs Near Bartow Fl | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fm 3 (Fort Meade).
Boat launches
- Doc Lindsey Road 2215-2837, Fort Meade
- Griffin Road 676, Wauchula
- Highlands By The Lake Way 3184, Lakeland
- Keen Road 506, Frostproof
- East Eagle Avenue 942, Eagle Lake
- West Eagle Avenue, Eagle Lake
Campgrounds
- Alafia River State Park
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 4
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 3
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 1
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 2
- Saddle Creek County Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- County Road 780 Bridge To State Road 72 Bridge
- Begins Downstream Of The State Road 72 Bridge To The Southern Boundary Of Myakka River State Park
- The Southern Boundary Of The Myakka River State Park To Ends Approximately At River Mile 23 Where Riverfront Residential Development Begins
- Approximately At River Mile 23 Where Riverfront Residential Development Begins To The Vicinity Of Snook Haven Fish Camp At Approximately River Mile 18
- Approximately River Mile 18 To A Point Just Upriver Of The Us 41 Highway Crossing
Track Fm 3 (Fort Meade) 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 Fm 3 (Fort Meade)
Where does the data for Fm 3 (Fort Meade) 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 Fm 3 (Fort Meade).