Structure 160 dam
Structure 160
Structure 160, also known as Blue Cypress Structure, is a concrete dam located in the Hillsborough County, Florida, specifically in the PALM RIVER-TAMPA area. Built in 1968, this dam primarily serves the purpose of flood risk reduction along CANAL 135 PALM RIVER. Standing at a height of 62 feet with a dam length of 365 feet, Structure 160 has a storage capacity of 2580 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 26700 cubic feet per second.
Owned and regulated by the State of Florida, specifically by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), Structure 160 has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of its condition assessment. Despite its last inspection dating back to 1999, the dam is maintained and regularly inspected by the state regulatory agency. While no Emergency Action Plan (EAP) has been prepared for this structure, its risk assessment and management measures remain unspecified. With its strategic location and critical role in flood risk reduction, Structure 160 stands as a vital water resource infrastructure in the region.
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 Structure 160 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Lake Outfall At E. Chelsea St. Near Tampa Fl | · | → |
| Delaney Creek Near Tampa Fl | 0 cfs | → |
| Hillsborough River Near Tampa Fl | · | → |
| Delaney Creek Popoff Canal Near Tampa Fl | 0 cfs | → |
| North Archie Creek At Progress Blvd. Near Tampa Fl | 0 cfs | → |
| Archie Creek At 78th Street Near Tampa Fl | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Structure 160.
Boat launches
- South Riverhills Drive 329, Tampa
- Lakeside Drive 910, Seffner
- East Fowler Avenue 8000, Tampa
- Thonotosassa Road 12090-12160, Thonotosassa
- Lowry Park Boat Ramp
- Cruis A Cade Place 2014, Tampa Heights
Campgrounds
- Group Campsite A
- Lithia Springs
- Group Campsite B
- Edward Medard
- Raccoon Creek Military - Macdill Afb
- Coons Creek Military - Macdill Afb
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
Track Structure 160 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 Structure 160
Where does the data for Structure 160 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 Structure 160.