Guy Branch Holding Pond dam
Guy Branch Holding Pond
Guy Branch Holding Pond, located in Polk County, Florida, serves as a private water resource managed for tailings purposes. Constructed in 1971, this earth dam stands at a height of 24 feet and stretches 1000 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 1650 acre-feet. The pond covers an area of 80 acres and is regulated by the state with regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Guy Branch Holding Pond is considered to be in fair condition as of the last assessment in 2014. The pond's outlet gates are uncontrolled, and it is equipped to handle a maximum discharge of 433 cubic feet per second. While the dam has not been modified in recent years and does not fall under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers, it remains an essential component of water management in the region.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate in Florida may find Guy Branch Holding Pond to be a fascinating example of private water infrastructure in the state. With its historical significance and ongoing regulatory oversight, the pond represents a vital aspect of the local water supply system. Monitoring its condition and maintenance efforts can provide valuable insights into sustainable water resource management practices in the region.
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 Guy Branch Holding Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Prong Alafia River Near Nichols Fl | 19 cfs | → |
| North Prong Alafia River At Keysville Fl | 21 cfs | → |
| South Prong Alafia River Near Lithia Fl | 10 cfs | → |
| South Prong Alafia River Near Ft Lonesome Fl | 7 cfs | → |
| Alafia River At Lithia Fl | 24 cfs | → |
| Banana-Hancock Canal Nr Highland City | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Guy Branch Holding Pond.
Boat launches
- Alderman's Ford Park Trail Hillsborough County
- Alligator Alley, Plant City
- Highlands By The Lake Way 3184, Lakeland
- Sikes Boulevard Lakeland
- Lake Bonny Drive East 101-199, Lakeland
- East Memorial Boulevard 1800, Lakeland
Campgrounds
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 4
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 3
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 1
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 2
- Alafia River State Park
- Edward Medard
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
Track Guy Branch Holding Pond 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 Guy Branch Holding Pond
Where does the data for Guy Branch Holding Pond 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 Guy Branch Holding Pond.