Lake Joy dam
Lake Joy
Lake Joy, located in Marion County, Florida, is a privately owned reservoir primarily used for recreation. The dam, completed in 1964, is an earth structure standing at 25 feet high and stretching 1375 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 51 acre-feet and a surface area of 113 acres, the lake provides a tranquil setting for water activities such as fishing and boating.
Managed by the state with permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place, Lake Joy has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment. The surrounding area, known as TR-MARSHALL SWAMP, contributes to the drainage area of the reservoir. Despite not having a spillway or locks, the reservoir is well-maintained and meets regulatory guidelines.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Joy offers a picturesque retreat in the heart of Florida. Its serene waters, surrounded by natural beauty, provide a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a tranquil escape. With its low hazard potential and state-regulated management, Lake Joy stands as a sustainable and safe water resource for the community to enjoy 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 Lake Joy -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ocklawaha River Nr Ocala | 36 cfs | → |
| Ocklawaha R At Moss Bluff | 31 cfs | → |
| Ocklawaha River Nr Conner | 499 cfs | → |
| Silver River Near Ocala | 437 cfs | → |
| Little Jones Creek Near Rutland | 8 cfs | → |
| Haines Creek At Lisbon | 12 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Joy.
Boat launches
- Southeast 95th Court 16298, Summerfield
- Moss Bluff Lock
- Nfs-579-D, Silver Springs
- County Road 115a 10339, Oxford
- Thomas Boat Landing Road 39820, Umatilla
- Lake Okahumpka Park
Campgrounds
- Santos Rec Area State Park
- Silver River State Park
- Fore Lake
- Lake Eaton
- Lake Eaton Campground
- Lake Shore Group Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Segment A--Mouth Of Spring On Ocala Nf (At Juniper Springs Wilderness) To Bridge On Sh 19 (At Wilderness Boundary)
- Segment B--Bridge On Sh 19 To Confluence With Lake George
- Segment A--Mouth Of Spring On Ocala Nf To Alexander Springs Wilderness Boundary
- Segment B--Alexander Springs Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With St. Johns River
Track Lake Joy 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 Lake Joy
Where does the data for Lake Joy 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 Lake Joy.