Swfwmd Parker Structure dam
Swfwmd Parker Structure
The Swfwmd Parker Structure, also known as Pol122, is a state-regulated dam located in Polk County, Florida, specifically in the city of Lakeland. This structure is designed for flood risk reduction and serves multiple purposes including recreation and water supply. It is primarily an earth dam with stone core types and is built on rock and soil foundations.
With a height of 7 feet and a hydraulic height of 5 feet, the Swfwmd Parker Structure has a storage capacity of 16,330 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 2,109 acres along Saddle Creek. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 25 feet and slide gates for outlet control. Despite its fair condition assessment as of April 2016, the structure is classified with a high hazard potential due to its location and the risk of inundation in the surrounding area.
Overall, the Swfwmd Parker Structure plays a crucial role in managing flood risks in the region while also supporting recreational activities and water supply. As a state-regulated dam with a very high risk rating, it is important to ensure regular inspections and maintenance to mitigate potential hazards and safeguard the surrounding community and environment.
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 Swfwmd Parker Structure -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Parker Outlet At Lakeland Fl | 1 cfs | → |
| Saddle Creek At St.Hwy 542 Near Lakeland Fl | 0 cfs | → |
| Saddle Creek At State Hwy 570 Near Eaton Park Fl | 0 cfs | → |
| Banana-Hancock Canal Nr Highland City | · | → |
| Lake Lena Run Near Auburndale Fl | 0 cfs | → |
| Fox Branch Near Socrum | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Swfwmd Parker Structure.
Boat launches
- East Memorial Boulevard 1800, Lakeland
- Lake Bonny Drive East 101-199, Lakeland
- North Combee Road 2701-3305, Lakeland
- Saddle Creek Park Road 905, Polk County
- Saddle Creek Park Road 961, Polk County
- Saddle Creek Park Road 988, Polk County
Campgrounds
- Saddle Creek County Park
- Edward Medard
- Wallaby Ranch (Can Camp If Hangliding)
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 4
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 3
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 2
Fishing spots
Track Swfwmd Parker Structure 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 Swfwmd Parker Structure
Where does the data for Swfwmd Parker Structure 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 High 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 Swfwmd Parker Structure.