Lake Idyl Dam dam
Lake Idyl Dam
Lake Idyl Dam, located in Winter Haven, Florida, serves as a crucial structure for flood risk reduction along the tributary of Buckeye Lake. Owned privately, the dam stands at a height of 9 feet with a hydraulic height of 6 feet, offering a storage capacity of 121 acre-feet. While primarily built for flood risk reduction, Lake Idyl Dam also provides opportunities for recreational activities, covering a surface area of 19 acres.
With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Lake Idyl Dam has been regulated and inspected by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Although the dam lacks certain features like outlet gates and spillway width, its design as an earth dam with stone core types and rock-soil foundations ensures its stability. The dam's moderate risk assessment suggests a proactive approach to risk management, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to uphold its functionality.
Representing a vital infrastructure in the region, Lake Idyl Dam's strategic location and design contribute to the overall water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the area. As climate change continues to impact water systems, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of effective flood control measures and the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to safeguard both the community and the 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 Lake Idyl Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Lena Run Near Auburndale Fl | 1 cfs | → |
| Peace Creek Drainage Canal Near Wahneta Fl | 5 cfs | → |
| Saddle Creek At State Hwy 570 Near Eaton Park Fl | 2 cfs | → |
| Peace Creek Near Bartow Fl | 3 cfs | → |
| Saddle Creek At St.Hwy 542 Near Lakeland Fl | 1 cfs | → |
| Peace River At Bartow Fl | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Idyl Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Buckeye Road 1394-1584, Winter Haven
- 3rd Street Northwest 887-899, Winter Haven
- South Lake Howard Drive 101, Winter Haven
- Beach Parkway, Winter Haven
- Avenue B Northwest 287, Winter Haven
- 21st Street Northwest 3098, Winter Haven
Campgrounds
- Saddle Creek County Park
- Backpack Campsite
- Wallaby Ranch (Can Camp If Hangliding)
- Circle F Dude Ranch Camp - Summer Camp & Outdoor Education Center
- Lake Kissimmee State Park
- Fallen Oak Campsite
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Lake Idyl Dam 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 Lake Idyl Dam
Where does the data for Lake Idyl Dam 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 Lake Idyl Dam.