Rivard Dam dam
Rivard Dam
Located in Walton County, Florida, the Rivard Dam is a private earth dam constructed in 1973 by the USDA NRCS for recreational purposes along Bruce Creek. With a height of 16 feet and a length of 510 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 64 acre-feet and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreation. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam is regulated by the Northwest Florida Water Management District and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
The Rivard Dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 45 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 701 cubic feet per second. While the dam has not been modified since its completion, it is situated in a drainage area of 0.16 square miles, providing essential water resources for the surrounding ecosystem. With a surface area of 4 acres and a normal storage capacity of 44 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in maintaining water levels and supporting aquatic life in the area.
Despite its moderate risk rating, the Rivard Dam remains a vital part of the local water infrastructure, offering not only recreational opportunities but also essential environmental benefits. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the proper management and maintenance of dams like Rivard are essential to ensure water security and ecosystem sustainability in the region. With its picturesque location and multifaceted purposes, the Rivard Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience in Florida.
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 Rivard Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Alaqua Creek Near Pleasant Ridge | 47 cfs | → |
| Bruce Creek At Sh 81 Nr Redbay | 23 cfs | → |
| Shoal River Nr Mossy Head | 556 cfs | → |
| Choctawhatchee River At Caryville | 9,450 cfs | → |
| Choctawhatchee River Nr Bruce | 7,560 cfs | → |
| Wrights Creek At Sh 177-A Nr Bonifay | 89 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rivard Dam.
Boat launches
- Portland Park Boat Ramp
- Four Mile Creek Landing
- Shipyard Road, Freeport
- Dead River Road 2207-2299, Ponce De Leon
- Black Creek Lodge
- Choctaw Beach Wayside Park Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Red Deer
- Speck Pond
- Jr. Walton Pond
- Sand Pond Recreation Area
- Pine Log State Forest
- Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
Fishing spots
Track Rivard 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 Rivard Dam
Where does the data for Rivard 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 Rivard Dam.