Swfwmd Lake Tarpon Control Structure (S-551) dam
Swfwmd Lake Tarpon Control Structure (S-551)
The Swfwmd Lake Tarpon Control Structure (S-551), also known as Pin7, is a state-owned facility located in Oldsmar, Florida, designed to manage water levels in Lake Tarpon. This structure plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction, as well as providing support for recreation and water supply purposes. With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the facility is equipped with a controlled spillway and slide gates for efficient water flow management.
Constructed as an earth dam with stone core types and rock and soil foundations, the Swfwmd Lake Tarpon Control Structure stands at a height of 16 feet with a hydraulic height of 13 feet. The facility has a maximum storage capacity of 24,447 acre-feet, with a normal storage capacity of 7,756 acre-feet. The structure covers a surface area of 2,529 acres and has a spillway width of 80 feet, ensuring effective water discharge during peak periods.
Despite its high risk assessment due to its critical role in flood risk reduction, the Swfwmd Lake Tarpon Control Structure is well-maintained and regularly inspected by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. With a dedicated emergency action plan in place and a reliable risk management strategy, this facility remains a key asset in the management of water resources and climate-related challenges in the region.
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 Lake Tarpon Control Structure (S-551) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Tarpon Canal At S-551 | · | → |
| South Branch Brooker Creek Near Oldsmar Fl | 0 cfs | → |
| Curlew Creek At Belcher Road Near Ozona Fl | 2 cfs | → |
| Curlew Creek At Evans Road Near Dunedin Fl | 0 cfs | → |
| Curlew Creek At County Road 1 Near Ozona Fl | 2 cfs | → |
| Brooker Creek Near Tarpon Springs Fl | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Swfwmd Lake Tarpon Control Structure (S-551).
Boat launches
- Philippe Park
- Safety Harbor Marina
- Morse Street, Safety Harbor
- U.S. 19 39620, Tarpon Springs
- North Pinellas Avenue Tarpon Springs
- Park Road, Largo
Campgrounds
- Bay Bayou Rv Resort
- Raccoon Creek Military - Macdill Afb
- Coons Creek Military - Macdill Afb
- Serenova Tract Campsite
- E G Simmons County Park
- Hillsborough River State Park
Fishing spots
Track Swfwmd Lake Tarpon Control Structure (S-551) 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 Lake Tarpon Control Structure (S-551)
Where does the data for Swfwmd Lake Tarpon Control Structure (S-551) 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 Low 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 Lake Tarpon Control Structure (S-551).