Structure 161 dam
Structure 161
Structure 161, located in Hillsborough County, Florida, is a concrete dam built in 1975 primarily for water supply purposes. Standing at a height of 63.5 feet with a hydraulic height of 23 feet, this dam on the Palm River has a storage capacity of 11,000 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 173 acres. With a high hazard potential but deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in 2014, this structure plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction and ensuring a stable water supply for the region.
Managed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Structure 161 is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state agencies to ensure its safe operation. Despite being uncontrolled, the dam's spillway width of 18 feet can handle a maximum discharge of 4,000 cubic feet per second. The surrounding area has a drainage area of 192 square miles, emphasizing the significance of this structure in managing water resources and mitigating potential flood risks in the region.
Represented by Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Structure 161 serves as a vital component of water infrastructure in Tampa, Florida. With its strategic location and vital role in water management, this dam exemplifies the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience in the face of increasing environmental challenges.
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 Structure 161 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Structure 161.
Boat launches
- South Riverhills Drive 329, Tampa
- Severn Avenue 801-1399, Tampa
- Cruis A Cade Place 2014, Tampa Heights
- Lakeside Drive 910, Seffner
- East Fowler Avenue 8000, Tampa
- Williams Park
Campgrounds
- Group Campsite A
- Lithia Springs
- Group Campsite B
- Raccoon Creek Military - Macdill Afb
- Coons Creek Military - Macdill Afb
- 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
Track Structure 161 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 Structure 161
Where does the data for Structure 161 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 High 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 Structure 161.