Lake Manatee Dam dam
Lake Manatee Dam
Lake Manatee Dam, located in Bradenton, Florida, serves as a crucial water supply source for the region. Completed in 1967, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 54 feet and stretches 4700 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 46,600 acre-feet. The dam plays a pivotal role in managing water resources for both recreational and municipal purposes, with a normal storage capacity of 22,700 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 16,000 cubic feet per second.
The dam's strategic location along the Manatee River underscores its importance in providing water for the surrounding communities and supporting various water-related activities. State-regulated and inspected, Lake Manatee Dam has a satisfactory condition assessment, with a high hazard potential due to its critical role in flood control and water supply management. While specific details about the spillway type, outlet gates, and associated structures are not provided, the dam's role in ensuring water security and environmental sustainability in the region cannot be overstated.
Managed by the local government and situated within the Jacksonville District, Lake Manatee Dam is a key infrastructure project that highlights the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. With its notable height and storage capacity, the dam stands as a critical asset for water supply in Manatee, Florida. As climate change impacts water availability and quality, the continued operation and maintenance of Lake Manatee Dam are essential for safeguarding the region's water resources and enhancing its resilience to changing environmental conditions.
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 Manatee Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Gamble Creek Near Parrish Fl | 13 cfs | → |
| Gamble Creek At County Road 675 Near Parrish Fl | 0 cfs | → |
| Braden Riv At Lakewood Ranch Nr Lorraine Fl | 1 cfs | → |
| Manatee River Near Myakka Head Fl | 4 cfs | → |
| South Fork Little Manatee River Near Wimauma Fl | 4 cfs | → |
| Frog Creek At Buffalo Road Near Rubonia Fl | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Manatee Dam.
Boat launches
- Manatee County
- Fort Hamer Road 1600, Parrish
- Braden River
- World Championship Drive Sarasota County
- 5th Street East 369-399, Ellenton
- Wildcat Creek
Campgrounds
- Lake Manatee State Park
- Little Manatee River State Park
- Youth Camping
- Primative Camp Site
- Mossy Hammock
- Pr75
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- County Road 780 Bridge To State Road 72 Bridge
- Begins Downstream Of The State Road 72 Bridge To The Southern Boundary Of Myakka River State Park
- The Southern Boundary Of The Myakka River State Park To Ends Approximately At River Mile 23 Where Riverfront Residential Development Begins
- Approximately At River Mile 23 Where Riverfront Residential Development Begins To The Vicinity Of Snook Haven Fish Camp At Approximately River Mile 18
- Approximately River Mile 18 To A Point Just Upriver Of The Us 41 Highway Crossing
- A Point Just Upriver Of The Us 41 Highway Crossing To The Sarasota/Charlotte County Line
Track Lake Manatee 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 Manatee Dam
Where does the data for Lake Manatee 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 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 Lake Manatee Dam.