Manatee Cooling Water Reservoir dam
Manatee Cooling Water Reservoir
The Manatee Cooling Water Reservoir in Florida is a significant water resource managed by a private entity for cooling purposes. This reservoir, completed in 1975, stands at a height of 79 feet with a capacity of 52,000 acre-feet of water and covers a surface area of 3,800 acres. Situated in the city of Parrish, it draws water from the Little Manatee River and is regulated by the state of Florida for permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure the safety and sustainability of the dam.
The dam, classified as an earth dam, serves a primary purpose of cooling, with a hydraulic height matching its structural height at 71 feet. Despite its high hazard potential, the Manatee Cooling Water Reservoir has been assessed as satisfactory in condition, with emergency action plans yet to be prepared. With a maximum discharge capacity of 1,965 cubic feet per second, this reservoir plays a crucial role in maintaining water temperatures for industrial use, emphasizing the importance of its management and regulation in the face of climate change and water resource challenges.
Owned by a private entity, the Manatee Cooling Water Reservoir is a key asset in the water infrastructure of Manatee County, Florida. As a high-hazard structure with a significant storage capacity, it highlights the importance of effective risk management and emergency preparedness in the face of potential hazards. With its strategic location and role in the regional water supply system, this reservoir stands as a vital resource for cooling purposes while also posing challenges that require careful monitoring and regulatory oversight to ensure its long-term reliability and safety.
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 Manatee Cooling Water Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Little Manatee River Near Wimauma Fl | 144 cfs | → |
| Little Manatee River Near Wimauma Fl | 172 cfs | → |
| Gamble Creek At County Road 675 Near Parrish Fl | 0 cfs | → |
| Gamble Creek Near Parrish Fl | 101 cfs | → |
| South Fork Little Manatee River Near Parrish Fl | 11 cfs | → |
| Little Manatee River Near Ft. Lonesome Fl | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Manatee Cooling Water Reservoir.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Manatee Cooling Water Reservoir
Where does the data for Manatee Cooling Water Reservoir 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 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.