S-38n dam
S-38n
S-38n, located in Broward County, Florida, is a state-regulated structure designed for flood risk reduction along the L-36 Borrow Canal. Built in 1962, this dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a storage capacity of 440 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 149 acre-feet. The primary purpose of S-38n is flood risk reduction, while also serving irrigation needs in the area.
Despite its age, S-38n has a low hazard potential and is currently in 'Not Rated' condition. The structure comprises uncontrolled outlet gates and has not been inspected since 1905, suggesting a need for updated assessments. With a lack of emergency action plans and risk management measures in place, there is room for improvement in ensuring the safety and efficiency of S-38n for both flood control and irrigation purposes.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts monitoring S-38n should take note of its critical role in flood risk reduction along the L-36 Borrow Canal in Broward County. With its age and lack of recent inspections, there is a need for increased attention to assess and maintain the structure's safety and functionality. Enhancing emergency preparedness and implementing risk management measures will be crucial in ensuring the continued effectiveness of S-38n in managing water resources 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 S-38n -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro Canal At S-6 Near Shawano | 88 cfs | → |
| N.W. Wellfield Canal Nr Dade Broward Levee Nr Penn | 6 cfs | → |
| Miami Canal At Nw36 St | 24 cfs | → |
| Three Mile Canal Below G409 Near Clewiston | 5 cfs | → |
| Tamiami Canal Near Coral Gables | 117 cfs | → |
| N New River Canal Below S351 Nr South Bay Fla | 595 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near S-38n.
Boat launches
- 2nd, Fort Lauderdale
- Coral Ridge Drive 11, Coral Springs
- Winfield Boulevard 6410-6450, Margate
- Rock Island Road, Margate
- Northwest 8th Street 4281, Coconut Creek
- Sidonia Court 7200, Palm Beach County
Campgrounds
Track S-38n 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 S-38n
Where does the data for S-38n 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.