Gibson Dam
Gibson Dam is an earth dam located in Polk County, Florida, built in 1969. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Gibson Dam
The primary purpose of Gibson Dam 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. It impounds the Lake Gibson near Lakeland.
The dam stands 7 feet tall and stretches 24 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 474 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,032 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2,752 square miles. Completed in 1969, 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. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/02/2024.
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 | Polk |
| Nearest City | Lakeland |
| River/Stream | Lake Gibson |
| Coordinates | 28.10403, -81.95008 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 7 ft |
| Dam Height | 7 ft |
| Dam Length | 24 ft |
| Year Completed | 1969 (57 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,032 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,032 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 724 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 474 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2,752 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | SWFWMD |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 12/02/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | FL13402 |
| Federal ID | FL13402 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |