Piney"Z"Lake Dam dam
Piney"Z"Lake Dam
Piney"Z"Lake Dam, located in Chaires, Leon County, Florida, is a privately owned earth dam that was completed in 1970 primarily for recreational purposes. This dam, with a height of 18 feet and a length of 600 feet, impounds the waters of the St. Marks River, creating a surface area of 63 acres and a storage capacity of 1,129 acre-feet. While the dam is primarily used for recreation, it also serves as a water supply source for the surrounding area.
The dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Although it has not been inspected since May 1994, it is state-regulated and meets all state permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a maximum discharge capacity of 122 cubic feet per second. Despite its age, the dam's condition has not been rated, and no emergency action plan has been prepared or updated. Overall, Piney"Z"Lake Dam remains a significant structure in the region, providing both recreational opportunities and water supply benefits.
As a water resource and climate enthusiast, Piney"Z"Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and maintenance. Its location on the St. Marks River, its low hazard potential, and moderate risk assessment highlight the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. Additionally, the dam's dual purpose of recreation and water supply underscores the need for sustainable management practices to balance human needs with environmental preservation. Understanding the complex interplay between water resources, infrastructure, and climate factors is crucial in safeguarding our communities and ecosystems for the future.
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 Piney"Z"Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Marks River Near Newport | 416 cfs | → |
| Ochlockonee River Nr Havana | 584 cfs | → |
| Wacissa River Nr Wacissa Fla | 242 cfs | → |
| Wakulla River Near Crawfordville | 344 cfs | → |
| Ochlockonee River Nr Concord | 837 cfs | → |
| Little River Nr Midway | 235 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Piney"Z"Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Rhoden Cove Road Leon County
- Jackson Moody Place 1306, Tallahassee
- Crowder Landing
- Miller Landing Road 2735, Tallahassee
- Cedar Hill Road 467, Tallahassee
- North Monroe Street Leon County
Campgrounds
- Newport County Park
- Campers World
- Coe Landing
- Wakulla River Campsite
- High Bluff Campground
- High Bluff Landing - Lake Talquin State Forest
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Concrete Bridge (Burnt Bridge) On Fh 13 (Where River Enters Bradwell Ray Wilderness)
- Bradwell Bay Wilderness (Northern Boundary) To Bradwell Bay Wilderness Boundary At Trice Bridge On Fr 329
- Tirce Creek Bridge (Monkey Creek) To Forest Service Property Boundary In Sec 13
- 2 Miles Below Dam On Lake Talquin To Ochlockonee Bay
- Forest Service Property Bounday To St. Marks Wildlife Refuge Boundary
- Segment B--Sh 65 To Carr Bridge On Fh 13
More reservoirs
Track Piney"Z"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 Piney"Z"Lake Dam
Where does the data for Piney"Z"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 Piney"Z"Lake Dam.