Floral City dam
Floral City
Floral City in Citrus County, Florida, is home to the Orange State Canal, a flood risk reduction structure completed in 1962. Owned by the state and regulated by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, this concrete dam stands at a height of 19.5 feet and has a storage capacity of 3,200 acre-feet. Situated in a drainage area of 995 square miles, the dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction for the surrounding area.
With a significant hazard potential, Floral City's dam has not been rated for its condition and has not undergone recent inspections since March 1999. Despite this, the structure remains in operation, helping to mitigate flood risks and protect the local community. The dam's location in a picturesque setting, with a surface area of 560 acres, highlights the intersection of water resource management and environmental preservation in this region.
As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, Floral City offers a fascinating case study in dam infrastructure and flood risk management. The Orange State Canal dam's role in safeguarding the area from potential inundation underscores the importance of maintaining and monitoring such structures in the face of changing climate patterns. With its state-regulated status and historical significance, Floral City serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to balance water resource management with environmental conservation in the face of evolving 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 Floral City -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Withlacoochee River Nr Pineola | 0 cfs | → |
| Withlacoochee River Nr Floral City | 1 cfs | → |
| Withlacoochee River At Nobleton Fl | 3 cfs | → |
| Jumper Creek Canal Near Wahoo | 5 cfs | → |
| Withlacoochee R At Wysong Dam At Carlson | 63 cfs | → |
| Outlet River At Panacoochee Retreats | 62 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Floral City.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Floral City
Where does the data for Floral City 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.