S-40 dam
S-40
Located in Palm Beach, Florida, the S-40 structure is a state-owned flood risk reduction dam on the C-15 Canal. With a height of 15 feet and a storage capacity of 1150 acre-feet, S-40 plays a crucial role in managing water levels and mitigating flood risks in the area. The dam's primary purpose is flood risk reduction, and it is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state government to ensure its effectiveness and safety.
Despite being built in an era where inspection records were not as extensive, S-40 is classified as having a significant hazard potential. The structure has not been formally assessed for its condition, but with a hydraulic height of 12 feet and a structural height of 17 feet, it remains a key component of the flood control system in the region. Although details on its construction date and modifications are scarce, the dam continues to provide critical protection and water management services to the community of Delray Beach.
As a water resource and climate enthusiast, the S-40 structure offers a fascinating glimpse into the history and importance of flood risk reduction infrastructure in Florida. With its significant hazard potential and state-regulated operation, S-40 stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to balance water management needs with environmental and public safety considerations. Its location on the C-15 Canal and role in managing water levels highlight the critical role that such structures play in protecting communities and ecosystems from the impacts of extreme weather events and flooding.
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 S-40 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro Canal At S-6 Near Shawano | 762 cfs | → |
| Loxahatchee River Near Jupiter | 22 cfs | → |
| N.W. Wellfield Canal Nr Dade Broward Levee Nr Penn | 14 cfs | → |
| Miami Canal At Nw36 St | 24 cfs | → |
| N New River Canal Below S351 Nr South Bay Fla | 61 cfs | → |
| Hillsboro Canal Below S351 Nr South Bay Fla | 137 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near S-40.
Track S-40 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 S-40
Where does the data for S-40 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 Significant 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.