Bay Lake Water Conservation Structure

Bay Lake Water Conservation Structure is an earth dam located in Hillsborough, Florida, built in 1987. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Bay Lake Water Conservation Structure

The primary purpose of Bay Lake Water Conservation Structure is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Swfwmd (local government). It impounds the Bay Lake near Tampa.

The dam stands 11 feet tall and stretches 25 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 37 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 616 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,600 square miles. Completed in 1987, the structure is 39 years old.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 12/05/2024.

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Significant HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: No

Location

StateFlorida
CountyHillsborough
Nearest CityTampa
River/StreamBay Lake
Coordinates28.06762, -82.49891

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height11 ft
Dam Height9 ft
Dam Length25 ft
Year Completed1987 (39 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage616 acre-ft
Max Storage616 acre-ft
Normal Storage60 acre-ft
Surface Area37 acres
Drainage Area1,600 sq mi
Max Discharge117 cfs
Spillway TypeControlled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerSWFWMD
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection12/05/2024
Emergency Action PlanNo

Identifiers

NID IDFL12014
Federal IDFL12014
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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