Alternative Text Description for Major Dams

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the locations of major dams throughout the state of Florida. The map shows point locations for dams included in the 2025 National Inventory of Dams (NID), representing facilities that meet federal criteria for inclusion based on hazard potential classification or dam size specifications. The map provides a comprehensive view of dam infrastructure across Florida, enabling users to understand the spatial distribution of these critical water control structures throughout the state.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers the entire state of Florida, from the panhandle region in the northwest to the southern tip near Miami. Major cities labeled on the map include Montgomery (Alabama, shown for regional context), Columbus and Albany (Georgia, shown for regional context), Dothan, Valdosta, Savannah, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Palm Coast, Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Cape Coral, Melbourne/Palm Bay, Miami, and Key West. The map extends slightly beyond Florida's borders to show neighboring portions of Alabama and Georgia to the north and west. Florida's distinctive peninsula shape is clearly shown, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Gulf of America to the west and south.

KEY INSIGHTS

Major dams in Florida exhibit several distinct spatial patterns. The highest concentration of dams appears in the northern panhandle region, particularly in the area west of Tallahassee. A second major concentration is visible in the Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan area on the central west coast. The Orlando area and surrounding central Florida region also show notable clustering of dam locations. The Jacksonville area and northeastern Florida display moderate dam density. Southern Florida, including the Miami metropolitan area and the Everglades region, shows lower dam density compared to northern and central regions. The southeastern coastal area from Palm Beach to Miami shows scattered dam locations. The Keys and the southernmost portion of the peninsula show minimal to no dam infrastructure.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Major Dams

This layer represents dams from the National Inventory of Dams that meet specific federal criteria for inclusion.

Major Dams (small square symbols with information icons)

Appearance:

Each dam is represented by a small square symbol containing what appears to be an information icon marker. The symbols are consistently sized and appear in a neutral color against the light gray base map.

Distribution:

Dam locations are distributed throughout Florida with varying density. Northern Florida and the panhandle region contain the greatest number of dams, with concentrations visible in multiple clusters. Central Florida shows moderate distribution, while southern Florida displays more dispersed coverage.

Notable locations:

The western panhandle shows the densest clustering of dam symbols. The Tampa Bay metropolitan area contains a significant concentration. The Orlando region and surrounding central counties display notable groupings. Jacksonville and the northeastern region show moderate density. The Lake Okeechobee area and surrounding agricultural regions contain scattered dam locations.

Spatial patterns:

Dams tend to cluster in areas of higher population density and agricultural activity. The distribution suggests correlation with water management needs in developed areas and regions requiring flood control or water supply infrastructure. Linear patterns are not prominent, suggesting dams are located based on topographic and hydrologic conditions rather than along specific corridors. The relatively sparse distribution in southern Florida reflects the unique hydrology of the Everglades and the flatter terrain of the region.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map focuses exclusively on the thematic layer showing major dam locations and does not emphasize base map features such as roads, water bodies, or political boundaries beyond city labels for geographic reference. The dams shown meet at least one of four federal criteria: classification as High Hazard Potential (loss of human life likely if dam fails), classification as Significant Hazard Potential (no probable loss of life but potential for economic or environmental impacts), height equal to or exceeding 25 feet with storage exceeding 15 acre-feet, or height exceeding 6 feet with storage equal to or exceeding 50 acre-feet. Users should note that USACE manages the National Inventory of Dams database but does not own most of the dams shown. Each dam is the responsibility of its individual owner for operation, maintenance, and repair.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

The data represents the State of Florida subset of the 2025 National Inventory of Dams (NID), a congressionally authorized database documenting dams in the United States and its territories. The NID is maintained and published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in cooperation with the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO), individual states and territories, and federal dam-regulating agencies. Starting in November 2021, state and federal dam safety regulatory entities can enter data directly and provide bulk updates, allowing for real-time access to information. The database contains information about dam location, size, purpose, type, last inspection, regulatory facts, and other technical data. Source layer: USACE_DAMS_2019.USACE_DAMS_MAR25.

Definition Query:

No definition query or filter criteria was provided. The map displays all major dams from the National Inventory of Dams for Florida that meet the federal inclusion criteria.

Scale Information:

The map is displayed at a statewide scale showing all of Florida and portions of neighboring states. This scale is appropriate for understanding the overall distribution pattern of major dams across the state but does not provide detail sufficient for identifying individual dam characteristics or precise locations for site-specific purposes.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087).

Time Period of Content:

The data is current as of the 2025 National Inventory of Dams update in March 2025.

Limitations:

The database includes dams that meet specific federal criteria and does not represent all water control structures in Florida. Approximately 75 percent of dams in the NID are regulated by state dam safety offices, and nearly 70 percent are privately owned. The federal government owns or regulates approximately five percent of NID dams. For the most up-to-date information about specific dams, users should contact the respective state or federal regulatory authority. This layer is an update to the previous FGDL layer USACE_DAMS_2019.

Map Coverage:

The map covers the entire state of Florida from the panhandle in the northwest to the Florida Keys in the south, with portions of Alabama and Georgia shown for geographic context.

The alternative text description of this map was AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies.