Lateral Struct#3 dam
Lateral Struct#3
Lateral Struct#3, located in Sebastian, Florida, is a key irrigation structure designed by R. D. Carter in 1962. This stone dam stands at a height of 16 feet and spans 48 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 1900 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is irrigation, serving the local agricultural community in Indian River County. Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, the structure has not been rated for its condition as of the last inspection in 1994.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Lateral Struct#3 plays a vital role in flood risk reduction and water resource management in the region. With a drainage area of 7.98 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 462 cubic feet per second, the structure helps regulate water flow in the Canal Lateral C. While it has not been modified in recent years, its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates ensure water is safely managed during periods of high flow.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Lateral Struct#3 to be a fascinating example of infrastructure designed to support agricultural activities while mitigating flood risks in Florida. As a regulated state structure with a moderate risk assessment, it highlights the importance of effective water management practices in ensuring the resilience of communities and ecosystems in the face of changing climate conditions. Its historical significance and ongoing role in sustaining local agriculture make it a valuable asset in the region's water resource management efforts.
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 Lateral Struct#3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Prong St.Sebastian River Nr Sebastian | 49 cfs | → |
| North Canal Near Vero Beach | 33 cfs | → |
| Fellsmere Canal Nr Micco | 33 cfs | → |
| North Prong Saint Sebastian Creek Nr Micco | 9 cfs | → |
| Main Canal At Vero Beach | 35 cfs | → |
| South Canal Nr Vero Beach | 37 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lateral Struct#3.
Boat launches
- Dale Wimbrow Park
- Indian River Drive 1294, Sebastian
- Capewell Court, Sebastian
- Long Point Park
- Macwilliams Park
- Riverside Park
Campgrounds
- Donald Macdonald Campgrounds
- Sebastian Inlet State Park
- Middleton Fish Camp
- Savannas Recreational Park
- Wickham Park
Fishing spots
Track Lateral Struct#3 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 Lateral Struct#3
Where does the data for Lateral Struct#3 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 Lateral Struct#3.