Lake Fretwell Dam dam
Lake Fretwell Dam
Lake Fretwell Dam, located in Middleburg, Florida, serves as a crucial structure for flood risk reduction along Rowell Creek. Owned and regulated by the local government, this earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet with a hydraulic height of 27 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 1000 acre-feet. The dam also supports recreational activities and water supply in the area, showcasing its versatility in meeting various community needs.
Constructed with stone core and supported by rock and soil foundations, Lake Fretwell Dam boasts a spillway width of 82 feet and a surface area of 52 acres. Despite its fair condition assessment as of May 2017, the dam has a low hazard potential and moderate risk rating. The presence of an uncontrolled spillway and slide gates for outlet control ensures the safe management of water levels, contributing to the overall resilience and effectiveness of the structure in mitigating potential flooding risks.
With its strategic location and multi-purpose functionality, Lake Fretwell Dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region. As a key asset in flood risk reduction and water supply enhancement, this dam plays a vital role in supporting the environmental and societal well-being of Duval County, 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 Lake Fretwell Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Black Creek Nr Middleburg | 41 cfs | → |
| Ortega River At Kirwin Rd Nr Jacksonville | 8 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At San Juan Ave At Jacksonville | 27 cfs | → |
| St. Marys River Nr Macclenny | 36 cfs | → |
| St. Johns River At Jacksonville | 154,000 cfs | → |
| South Fork Black Creek Nr Penney Farms | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Fretwell Dam.
Boat launches
- San Juan Avenue 5434, Jacksonville
- Main Street 3772, Middleburg
- Ortega Farms Boulevard 4555, Jacksonville
- Old Ferry Road 2231, Green Cove Springs
- Saint Marys Cove Road, Macclenny
- Museum Circle 901, Jacksonville
Campgrounds
- Jacksonville Nas Rv Military
- Camp Blanding Rv Military
- Mike Roess Gold Head State Park
- Camp Crystal Lake
- East Tower Hunt Camp
- Osprey Cove Military - Mayport Ns
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The Confluence Of The North Prong And Middle Prong To Trader's Hill
- Begins Approximately 1 Mile Downstream Of U.S. 301 Crossing To Ends Approximately 1 Mile Upstream Of Flea Hill, Georgia
- Trader's Hill To Ends Approximately 1 Mile Downstream Of U.S. 301 Crossing
- Begins Approximately 1 Mile Upstream Of Flea Hill, Georgia To The Bells River Confluence
- The Headwaters To The Suwannee River Sill At River Mile 238
- The Suwannee River Sill At River Mile 238 To The Little River Springs At River Mile 81
Track Lake Fretwell 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 Lake Fretwell Dam
Where does the data for Lake Fretwell 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 Lake Fretwell Dam.