Saddle Creek Sa-1 dam
Saddle Creek Sa-1
Saddle Creek Sa-1 is a private earth dam located in Lakeland, Florida, along the Saddle Creek river. Built in 1955, this dam serves a primary purpose of tailings storage and stands at a height of 26 feet with a length of 21,700 feet. With a storage capacity of 10,815 acre-feet and a surface area of 416 acres, this dam plays a significant role in managing water resources in the area.
Despite its age, Saddle Creek Sa-1 is regulated and inspected by the state of Florida, ensuring that it meets safety standards and poses no immediate threat to surrounding communities. The dam's hazard potential is considered significant, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance. While it currently has uncontrolled outlet gates and no designated spillway, the dam's condition is not rated, emphasizing the importance of continued assessment and evaluation to prevent potential risks.
Climate enthusiasts and water resource managers can appreciate the vital role that Saddle Creek Sa-1 plays in safeguarding the local area from flooding and ensuring water storage for various purposes. As discussions around climate change and water management intensify, this dam serves as a tangible example of the infrastructure needed to adapt to evolving environmental conditions and protect communities from potential hazards. By staying informed about the dam's condition and maintenance efforts, stakeholders can work together to uphold its safety and functionality for years to come.
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 Saddle Creek Sa-1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Parker Outlet At Lakeland Fl | 1 cfs | → |
| Saddle Creek At St.Hwy 542 Near Lakeland Fl | 0 cfs | → |
| Saddle Creek At State Hwy 570 Near Eaton Park Fl | 0 cfs | → |
| Fox Branch Near Socrum | 1 cfs | → |
| Lake Lena Run Near Auburndale Fl | 0 cfs | → |
| Banana-Hancock Canal Nr Highland City | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Saddle Creek Sa-1.
Boat launches
- Tenoroc Mine Road, Lakeland
- Braddock Road Polk County
- North Combee Road 2701-3305, Lakeland
- North Socrum Loop Road 4920, Lakeland
- Saddle Creek Park Road 905, Polk County
Campgrounds
- Saddle Creek County Park
- Wallaby Ranch (Can Camp If Hangliding)
- Gator Hole Primative Camp Site
- Hillsborough River State Park
- Withlacoochee River Park
- Edward Medard
Fishing spots
Track Saddle Creek Sa-1 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 Saddle Creek Sa-1
Where does the data for Saddle Creek Sa-1 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.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Saddle Creek Sa-1.