G-56 dam
G-56
G-56, located in Broward County, Florida, is a state-regulated dam with a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating. Built in 1920 and owned by the state, this dam on the Hillsboro Canal serves a primary purpose classified as "Other." It stands at a structural height of 37 feet, with a hydraulic height of 19 feet and a length of 125 feet.
With a maximum storage capacity of 2100 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 1405 acre-feet, G-56 has a surface area of 200 acres and drains an area of 75 square miles. The dam has a controlled spillway with a width of 20 feet and a maximum discharge rate of 1600 cubic feet per second. While the dam is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of its condition assessment, it undergoes regular state inspections, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality.
Climate and water resource enthusiasts would be intrigued by G-56's unique design and historical significance, as well as its critical role in managing water flow in the region. The dam's location in the Boca Raton Delimited Area and its association with the Jacksonville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers add to its importance in the local ecosystem. Despite its low hazard potential, the very high risk assessment underscores the need for ongoing risk management measures and emergency preparedness to safeguard the surrounding communities and water resources.
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 G-56 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro Canal At S-6 Near Shawano | 128 cfs | → |
| N.W. Wellfield Canal Nr Dade Broward Levee Nr Penn | 2 cfs | → |
| Miami Canal At Nw36 St | 24 cfs | → |
| Tamiami Canal Near Coral Gables | 55 cfs | → |
| Loxahatchee River Near Jupiter | 20 cfs | → |
| N New River Canal Below S351 Nr South Bay Fla | 85 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near G-56.
Boat launches
- Southwest 18th Avenue Boca Raton
- Sidonia Court 7200, Palm Beach County
- Silver Palm Park
- Northwest 8th Street 4281, Coconut Creek
- Winfield Boulevard 6410-6450, Margate
- Rock Island Road, Margate
Campgrounds
Track G-56 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 G-56
Where does the data for G-56 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.