Nichols Cooling Pond Wa dam
Nichols Cooling Pond Wa
Nichols Cooling Pond Wa, located in Polk, Florida, is a privately owned water resource with a primary purpose of tailings management. Constructed in 1990 by ARDAMAN & ASSOCIATES, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a storage capacity of 850 acre-feet. The pond covers an area of 37 acres and is situated along the Alafia River, making it a vital component of the local water infrastructure.
Despite its significant hazard potential and high risk assessment rating, Nichols Cooling Pond Wa meets state regulations for permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, and emergency action plans are not reported to be in place. The absence of a spillway and locks raises concerns about potential discharge management in the event of an emergency. With its last inspection dating back to 2006, there is a need for updated assessments and risk management measures to ensure the safety and sustainability of this water resource.
In the realm of water resource and climate enthusiasts, Nichols Cooling Pond Wa presents an intriguing case study for exploring the intersection of private ownership, regulatory oversight, and environmental risk management. The dam's location, design features, and storage capacity offer valuable insights into the challenges and considerations involved in managing water resources for industrial purposes. As discussions around climate change and water security continue to evolve, the sustainable operation and maintenance of structures like Nichols Cooling Pond Wa will be critical in ensuring the resilience of water infrastructure in Florida and beyond.
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 Nichols Cooling Pond Wa -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Prong Alafia River Near Nichols Fl | 18 cfs | → |
| North Prong Alafia River At Keysville Fl | 21 cfs | → |
| South Prong Alafia River Near Lithia Fl | 10 cfs | → |
| Alafia River At Lithia Fl | 27 cfs | → |
| South Prong Alafia River Near Ft Lonesome Fl | 11 cfs | → |
| Banana-Hancock Canal Nr Highland City | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nichols Cooling Pond Wa.
Boat launches
- Alderman's Ford Park Trail Hillsborough County
- Alligator Alley, Plant City
- Highlands By The Lake Way 3184, Lakeland
- Sikes Boulevard Lakeland
- Lake Bonny Drive East 101-199, Lakeland
- East Memorial Boulevard 1800, Lakeland
Campgrounds
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 4
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 3
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 2
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 1
- Edward Medard
- Alafia River State Park
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 Nichols Cooling Pond Wa 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 Nichols Cooling Pond Wa
Where does the data for Nichols Cooling Pond Wa 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 Nichols Cooling Pond Wa.