Noralyn N-6 dam
Noralyn N-6
Noralyn N-6 is a privately owned dam located in Polk, Florida, specifically in the city of Fort Meade. Completed in 1960, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a length of 4300 feet. It serves a primary purpose that falls under the category of "Other", with a storage capacity of 3200 acre-feet and a surface area of 128 acres. The dam is situated on an unnamed lake and is regulated by the state of Florida, with permitting, inspection, and enforcement activities all carried out by state agencies.
With its significant hazard potential, Noralyn N-6 poses a risk that requires careful management and monitoring. Despite being in operation for several decades, the dam's condition has not been officially assessed or rated. Emergency action plans, inundation maps, and risk assessments have not been prepared or updated, indicating a need for improved emergency preparedness measures. The dam's location in a populated area underscores the importance of ensuring its safety and resilience to withstand potential hazards and emergencies.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Noralyn N-6 presents an intriguing case study in dam management and safety. The dam's historical significance, coupled with its current regulatory status and lack of comprehensive risk assessment, highlight the complex challenges faced in maintaining critical infrastructure while safeguarding communities and the environment. As discussions around climate change and water resource management continue to grow, Noralyn N-6 serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for proactive measures to address the risks associated with aging dams and ensure their long-term sustainability in a changing climate.
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 Noralyn N-6 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Barber Branch Near Homeland Fl | 1 cfs | → |
| Peace River Near Homeland Fl | 1 cfs | → |
| Sixmile Creek At Bartow Fl | 2 cfs | → |
| Peace River At Clear Springs Near Bartow Fl | · | → |
| Peace River Near Bartow Fl | · | → |
| Peace River At Bartow Fl | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Noralyn N-6.
Boat launches
- Doc Lindsey Road 2215-2837, Fort Meade
- Highlands By The Lake Way 3184, Lakeland
- East Eagle Avenue 942, Eagle Lake
- West Eagle Avenue, Eagle Lake
- Lake Shipp Drive 1605-1699, Winter Haven
- Lake Sears Drive 102, Winter Haven
Campgrounds
- Saddle Creek County Park
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 4
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 3
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 1
- Alderman's Ford Park Campsite 2
- Alafia River State Park
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
More reservoirs
Track Noralyn N-6 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 Noralyn N-6
Where does the data for Noralyn N-6 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 Noralyn N-6.