Structure P-8 (hamilton) Water Conservation Structure

About Structure P-8 (hamilton) Water Conservation Structure

The primary purpose of Structure P-8 (hamilton) Water Conservation Structure is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Swfwmd (local government). It impounds the Peace Creek Canal near Winter Haven.

The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 90 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,640 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 38,280 acre-feet.

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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam.

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.

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