Ward Lake Dam dam
Ward Lake Dam
Ward Lake Dam, located in Bradenton, Florida, is a crucial water resource infrastructure managed by the local government. Completed in 1973, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 12 feet and stretches 850 feet in length, serving primarily for water supply purposes. The dam has a storage capacity of 240 acre-feet, providing a reliable source of water for the surrounding area.
Situated on the Braden River, Ward Lake Dam is regulated by the state of Florida and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a low hazard potential, the dam is considered an important piece of infrastructure for managing water resources in the region. Although the dam's condition assessment is currently labeled as "Not Rated," it continues to provide essential water supply services to the community.
Despite its uncontrolled outlet gates, Ward Lake Dam plays a critical role in water management and supply for the city of Bradenton. With its low hazard potential and state-regulated status, the dam stands as a reliable and essential piece of infrastructure for maintaining water resources in the region. As climate change and water scarcity become increasingly pressing issues, the functionality and safety of dams like Ward Lake Dam are of utmost importance for ensuring sustainable water management practices.
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 Ward Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Braden Riv At Lakewood Ranch Nr Lorraine Fl | 1 cfs | → |
| Walker Creek Near Sarasota Fl | 1 cfs | → |
| Frog Creek At Buffalo Road Near Rubonia Fl | 5 cfs | → |
| Gamble Creek Near Parrish Fl | 6 cfs | → |
| Frog Creek Near Rubonia Fl | 2 cfs | → |
| Gamble Creek At County Road 675 Near Parrish Fl | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ward Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Braden River
- 5th Street East 369-399, Ellenton
- World Championship Drive Sarasota County
- Fort Hamer Road 1600, Parrish
- Ken Thompson Park
- Warner's Bayou
Campgrounds
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
- A Point Just Upriver Of The Us 41 Highway Crossing To The Sarasota/Charlotte County Line
Track Ward Lake 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 Ward Lake Dam
Where does the data for Ward Lake 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 Ward Lake Dam.