Chesser Dam dam
Chesser Dam
Chesser Dam, located in Walton County, Florida, serves as a vital water resource and recreational area for the local community. Built in 1975 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at 15 feet high and stretches 300 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, with additional benefits for fire protection, stock, and fish and wildlife ponds. Chesser Dam is regulated by the NWFWMD, ensuring its safety and compliance with state permitting and inspection requirements.
Surrounded by the serene TR-SCONIER CREEK, Chesser Dam offers a peaceful oasis for water and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. With a surface area of 5 acres and a drainage area of 0.06 square miles, this dam provides a tranquil setting for outdoor activities such as fishing, wildlife observation, and boating. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Chesser Dam's condition remains unrated, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its long-term integrity and safety.
As a privately owned structure, Chesser Dam's management falls under the responsibility of its owners, with support from the USDA NRCS. The dam's location in Portland, Florida, under the jurisdiction of the NWFWMD, further underscores the importance of sustainable water resource management in the region. With its rich history and continued role in water conservation and recreation, Chesser Dam stands as a symbol of the harmonious relationship between humans and nature.
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 Chesser Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Alaqua Creek Near Pleasant Ridge | 47 cfs | → |
| Shoal River Nr Mossy Head | 556 cfs | → |
| Bruce Creek At Sh 81 Nr Redbay | 23 cfs | → |
| Choctawhatchee River At Caryville | 9,450 cfs | → |
| Choctawhatchee River Nr Bruce | 7,560 cfs | → |
| Juniper Creek At State Hwy 85 Nr Niceville | 67 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chesser Dam.
Boat launches
- Portland Park Boat Ramp
- Four Mile Creek Landing
- Shipyard Road, Freeport
- Choctaw Beach Wayside Park Boat Ramp
- Black Creek Lodge
- Dead River Road 2207-2299, Ponce De Leon
Campgrounds
- Red Deer
- Speck Pond
- Jr. Walton Pond
- Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
- Rocky Bayou State Park
- Mid Bay Shores Military
Fishing spots
Track Chesser 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 Chesser Dam
Where does the data for Chesser 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 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 Chesser Dam.