G78 Control Structure dam
G78 Control Structure
Located in St. Lucie, Florida, the G78 Control Structure, also known as the C-23 Plug Structure, is a vital component in flood risk reduction efforts along the C-23 Canal. Owned and regulated by the state of Florida, this earth dam structure stands at a height of 23 feet and has a hydraulic height of 16 feet, with a structural height of 26 feet. Completed in 1958, it serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction and has a storage capacity of 380 acre-feet.
With a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, the G78 Control Structure plays a crucial role in managing water resources and climate challenges in the region. Equipped with vertical lift outlet gates and a controlled spillway, the structure ensures effective water flow management during periods of high discharge. While the condition assessment is currently labeled as "Not Rated," the structure undergoes state inspections and enforcement to maintain its integrity and functionality.
As a key element in the flood risk reduction infrastructure of the area, the G78 Control Structure is closely monitored and regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Its strategic location and design make it a critical asset in mitigating the impact of extreme weather events and ensuring the safety of residents in Port St. Lucie and surrounding areas. The structure's significance in water resource management and climate resilience efforts underscores the importance of ongoing maintenance and risk management measures to safeguard the community from potential flooding risks.
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 G78 Control Structure -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St Lucie Canal Abv S-80 Nr Stuart Fl | 54 cfs | → |
| South Canal Nr Vero Beach | 33 cfs | → |
| Main Canal At Vero Beach | 24 cfs | → |
| Loxahatchee River Near Jupiter | 36 cfs | → |
| North Canal Near Vero Beach | 27 cfs | → |
| St. Lucie Canal Below S-308 | 110 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near G78 Control Structure.
Boat launches
- Northeast Causeway Boulevard Jensen Beach
- Jensen Beach Boat Ramp
- Southeast Veterans Memorial Parkway 2200, Port Saint Lucie
- Marma, Port Saint Lucie
- Jensen Beach Public Boat Ramp
- Northwest Fork Road North River Shores
Campgrounds
- Savannas Recreational Park
- St. Lucie Lock
- Phipps County Park
- Scrub Jay Primitive Camp
- Scrubjay Camp Site
- Kitching Creek Primitive Camp
Track G78 Control 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 G78 Control Structure
Where does the data for G78 Control 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 G78 Control Structure.