Alford Pond Dam dam
Alford Pond Dam
Alford Pond Dam, located in Chaires, Florida, was completed in 1955 by the USDA NRCS and is currently owned by the state. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond and offers opportunities for outdoor activities. The dam stands at a height of 8 feet and stretches 200 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet.
Managed by the NWFWMD, the dam is regulated and inspected by the state of Florida to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite being rated as low hazard potential and not assessed for condition, the dam remains a vital structure for the community. The dam's spillway, with a width of 60 feet, can handle a maximum discharge of 140 cubic feet per second, supporting the surrounding ecosystem and water resources.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the significance of Alford Pond Dam as it contributes to the conservation of the St. Marks River VA and provides recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. With its stone core and soil foundation, the dam represents a blend of natural and engineered elements, showcasing the importance of sustainable infrastructure in managing water resources. As the dam continues to be monitored and maintained by state agencies, it serves as a reminder of the critical role that such structures play in preserving the environment and enhancing community well-being.
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 Alford Pond 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 | → |
| Ochlockonee River Nr Concord | 837 cfs | → |
| Wakulla River Near Crawfordville | 344 cfs | → |
| Little River Nr Midway | 235 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Alford Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Rhoden Cove Road Leon County
- Crowder Landing
- Jackson Moody Place 1306, Tallahassee
- Miller Landing Road 2735, Tallahassee
- Cedar Hill Road 467, Tallahassee
- North Monroe Street Leon County
Campgrounds
- Campers World
- Newport County Park
- Coe Landing
- High Bluff Campground
- High Bluff Landing - Lake Talquin State Forest
- Wakulla River Campsite
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 Alford Pond 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 Alford Pond Dam
Where does the data for Alford Pond 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 Alford Pond Dam.