Sa 8a S.C. dam
Sa 8a S.C.
Sa 8a S.C., also known as Sc8b, is a private-owned dam located in Hamilton, Florida, along the Swift Creek. Completed in 1994 by Ardamon & Associates, this Earth-type dam stands at 30 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 25 feet and a structural height of 34 feet. With a storage capacity of 16,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 524 acres, Sa 8a S.C. serves primarily for tailings purposes.
State-regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Sa 8a S.C. has a controlled spillway with a width of 64 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 220 cubic feet per second. The dam is classified with a significant hazard potential and a very high risk rating, indicating the need for careful monitoring and risk management measures. Despite its satisfactory condition assessment in 2014, ongoing inspections and emergency preparedness are crucial for the safety of the surrounding area in case of any unforeseen events.
Overall, Sa 8a S.C. plays a vital role in water resource management in the region, highlighting the intersection of human infrastructure with natural ecosystems. Its presence along the Swift Creek not only affects the local hydrology but also requires adherence to state regulations and enforcement to ensure public safety and environmental protection. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding and managing structures like Sa 8a S.C. becomes increasingly important for sustainable water management practices.
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 Sa 8a S.C. -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Suwannee R Nr Benton Fla | 1,250 cfs | → |
| Suwannee River At Suwannee Springs Fla | 117 cfs | → |
| Suwannee River At White Springs | 23 cfs | → |
| Alapaha River Near Jennings Fla | 113 cfs | → |
| Suwannee River At Us 441 | 16 cfs | → |
| Suwannee River At Ellaville | 837 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sa 8a S.C..
Boat launches
- Cone Bridge Boat Ramp
- County Road 249, Jasper
- Southwest Baya Drive 578, Lake City
- Southeast Evergreen Drive 358, Lake City
- Highway 94, Statenville
- Southeast Boat Ramp Glen 120, Lake City
Campgrounds
- Stephen Foster State Park
- Gibson
- Suwannee River State Park
- Hog Pen Landing
- Ocean Pond
- Ocean Pond Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- State Highway 6 To The Confluence With The Suwannee River
- Ichetucknee Headspring To The First Powerline Crossing Over Ichetucknee River
- The Little River Springs At River Mile 81 To The Mouth Of The River At The Gulf Of Mexico
- The Suwannee River Sill At River Mile 238 To The Little River Springs At River Mile 81
- The First Powerline Crossing The Ichetuckee River To The Confluence With The Santa Fe River, Down The Santa Fe River To The Suwannee River
Track Sa 8a S.C. 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 Sa 8a S.C.
Where does the data for Sa 8a S.C. 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 Sa 8a S.C..