S-41 dam
S-41
S-41, also known as the C-16 (Boynton Canal) structure, is a significant flood risk reduction dam located in Palm Beach, Florida. Completed in 1965, this state-regulated dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from flooding by controlling the flow of water from the canal. With a height of 26 feet and a length of 149 feet, S-41 has a storage capacity of 50,000 acre-feet and a normal storage of 30,000 acre-feet.
Managed by the state of Florida, S-41 has a hazard potential rated as significant and is currently in a not-rated condition assessment status. The dam features uncontrolled outlet gates and a spillway type that is not specified. Despite its important role in flood control, the dam has not been regularly inspected, with the last inspection date recorded as July 7, 1905. Furthermore, there is no information available on emergency action plans, risk assessment, or risk management measures for S-41, highlighting potential areas for improvement in the dam's maintenance and safety protocols.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, S-41 presents an intriguing case study in the management of flood risk and the importance of regular dam inspections and maintenance. As a key structure in the control of water flow in the Boynton Canal, S-41's condition and safety measures warrant closer monitoring and assessment to ensure the continued protection of the surrounding area from potential flooding events. With its significant hazard potential and historical lack of inspections, S-41 serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and responsibilities in safeguarding water resources and infrastructure in the face of changing climate 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 S-41 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro Canal At S-6 Near Shawano | 762 cfs | → |
| Loxahatchee River Near Jupiter | 22 cfs | → |
| N New River Canal Below S351 Nr South Bay Fla | 61 cfs | → |
| Hillsboro Canal Below S351 Nr South Bay Fla | 137 cfs | → |
| St Lucie Canal Abv S-80 Nr Stuart Fl | 50 cfs | → |
| St. Lucie Canal Below S-308 | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near S-41.
Track S-41 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 S-41
Where does the data for S-41 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 Significant 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.