Nichols Cooling Pond Wb Dam
Nichols Cooling Pond Wb
Nichols Cooling Pond Wb, located in Polk County, Florida, is a privately owned water resource with a primary purpose of tailings management. Constructed in 1990, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a hydraulic height of 20 feet. With a storage capacity of 500 acre-feet and a surface area of 22 acres, the pond plays a crucial role in the management of water resources in the region.
Managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Nichols Cooling Pond Wb is regulated and inspected by state authorities to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam has a controlled spillway with a width of 14 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 10 cubic feet per second. Despite being rated as having a significant hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures.
In light of its very high risk assessment rating, stakeholders and climate enthusiasts are encouraged to stay informed about the management and maintenance of Nichols Cooling Pond Wb. With its strategic location along the Alafia River and its role in tailings management, this water resource serves as a critical infrastructure for the region's water supply and environmental sustainability efforts. Continued collaboration between private owners, state regulators, and the local community is essential to ensure the safety and resilience of this important water resource in the face of climate challenges.
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 Nichols Cooling Pond Wb -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Prong Alafia River Near Nichols Fl | 34 cfs | → |
| North Prong Alafia River At Keysville Fl | 110 cfs | → |
| South Prong Alafia River Near Lithia Fl | 67 cfs | → |
| Alafia River At Lithia Fl | 287 cfs | → |
| South Prong Alafia River Near Ft Lonesome Fl | 33 cfs | → |
| Banana-Hancock Canal Nr Highland City | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nichols Cooling Pond Wb.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Nichols Cooling Pond Wb
Where does the data for Nichols Cooling Pond Wb 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 below 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.
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.