Sanford Cooling Reservoir dam
Sanford Cooling Reservoir
Sanford Cooling Reservoir, located in Volusia, Florida, is a privately owned Earth dam completed in 1971 with a primary purpose other than flood control or water supply. This reservoir has a maximum storage capacity of 18,000 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 13,200 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 1,105 acres. The dam stands at a height of 34 feet and has a structural height of 23 feet, serving as an offstream source of the St. Johns River.
With a high hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment as of July 2014, Sanford Cooling Reservoir plays a crucial role in maintaining water resources and supporting climate resilience in the region. The reservoir has the capacity to discharge up to 2,300 cubic feet per second and is under state jurisdiction with permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place. Despite being privately owned, the reservoir is regulated by the state of Florida to ensure its safe operation and compliance with environmental standards.
As a key component of the water infrastructure in the area, Sanford Cooling Reservoir contributes to water management efforts and serves as a vital resource for the community. Its strategic location and design make it an important asset for cooling purposes and environmental sustainability in the region. With its impressive storage capacity and effective operation, this reservoir showcases the intersection of water resource management and climate adaptation, playing a significant role in addressing water challenges and supporting ecological balance in the area.
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 Sanford Cooling Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Johns River Nr Sanford | 1,220 cfs | → |
| Wekiva River Nr Sanford | 171 cfs | → |
| Blackwater Creek Near Cassia | 4 cfs | → |
| St. Johns River Nr Deland | 1,410 cfs | → |
| Soldier Creek Nr Longwood | 1 cfs | → |
| Lake Jesup Outlet Nr Sanford | 838 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sanford Cooling Reservoir.
⚓ Boat launches
- Lake Monroe Wayside Boat Ramp
- West French Avenue Volusia County
- Enterprise Osteen Road 1295, Deltona
- Ed Stone Park
- South Sanford Avenue 5999, Sanford
- Old Geneva Road 5502, Sanford
⛺ Campgrounds
- Lake Monroe
- Blue Spring State Park
- Hontoon Island State Park
- River Forest Group Site
- Indian Mound Camp
- Kelly
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →🛶 Paddle runs
- Segment B--Alexander Springs Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With St. Johns River
- Segment A--Mouth Of Spring On Ocala Nf To Alexander Springs Wilderness Boundary
- Segment B--Bridge On Sh 19 To Confluence With Lake George
- Segment A--Mouth Of Spring On Ocala Nf (At Juniper Springs Wilderness) To Bridge On Sh 19 (At Wilderness Boundary)
Track Sanford Cooling Reservoir 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 Sanford Cooling Reservoir
Where does the data for Sanford Cooling Reservoir 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 High 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 Sanford Cooling Reservoir.