Owens Dam 2
Owens Dam 2 is an earth dam located in Washington County, Florida, built in 1954. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Owens Dam 2
The primary purpose of Owens Dam 2 is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Thomas Porter (private). It impounds the Jones Rice Mill Branch-os near Vernon.
The dam stands 10 feet tall and stretches 560 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 17 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 103 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1954, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/25/2025.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Florida dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Florida |
| County | Washington |
| Nearest City | Vernon |
| River/Stream | Jones Rice Mill Branch-os |
| Coordinates | 30.72320, -85.58922 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Length | 560 ft |
| Year Completed | 1954 (72 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 103 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 103 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 87 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 17 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 43 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | THOMAS PORTER |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 02/25/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | FL01020 |
| Federal ID | FL01020 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |