Saddle Creek Sa-2 dam
Saddle Creek Sa-2
Saddle Creek Sa-2 is a significant earth dam located in Polk, Florida, specifically in the city of Lakeland. Completed in 1956, this privately owned structure stands at a height of 24 feet and has a length of 15,800 feet. It serves as a tailings dam with a primary purpose of storing water for various industrial activities.
With a storage capacity of 15,770 acre-feet, Saddle Creek Sa-2 plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area. The dam is regulated by the state of Florida and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite being classified as having a "significant" hazard potential, the condition assessment of the dam is currently "not rated."
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be intrigued by the history and technical details of Saddle Creek Sa-2, as well as its role in mitigating the impacts of climate change on the local water supply. As a key infrastructure in the region, the dam's management and maintenance are essential for safeguarding the surrounding communities and ecosystems in the face of changing environmental 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 Saddle Creek Sa-2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Parker Outlet At Lakeland Fl | 1 cfs | → |
| Saddle Creek At St.Hwy 542 Near Lakeland Fl | 0 cfs | → |
| Fox Branch Near Socrum | 1 cfs | → |
| Saddle Creek At State Hwy 570 Near Eaton Park Fl | 0 cfs | → |
| Banana-Hancock Canal Nr Highland City | · | → |
| Lake Lena Run Near Auburndale Fl | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Saddle Creek Sa-2.
Boat launches
- Tenoroc Mine Road, Lakeland
- North Combee Road 2701-3305, Lakeland
- Braddock Road Polk County
- North Socrum Loop Road 4920, Lakeland
- Tenoroc Trail Auburndale
Campgrounds
- Saddle Creek County Park
- Wallaby Ranch (Can Camp If Hangliding)
- Gator Hole Primative Camp Site
- Hillsborough River State Park
- Withlacoochee River Park
- Edward Medard
Fishing spots
Track Saddle Creek Sa-2 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 Saddle Creek Sa-2
Where does the data for Saddle Creek Sa-2 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.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Saddle Creek Sa-2.