Alternative Text Description for USACE Dams

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the locations of dams across the State of Florida that are documented in the 2025 National Inventory of Dams (NID). The map shows hundreds of dam locations represented by small blue icons distributed throughout the state. These dams meet specific criteria related to size, storage capacity, or hazard potential classification, and are owned, operated, or regulated by various public and private entities.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers the entire State of Florida, extending from the Georgia and Alabama borders in the north to the Florida Keys in the south. Major cities labeled on the map include Montgomery and Dothan to the northwest, Albany to the north, Savannah to the northeast, Jacksonville on the northeast coast, Valdosta to the north-central area, Gainesville in north-central Florida, Orlando in central Florida, Tampa on the west coast, Palm Coast on the east coast, Palm Bay on the central east coast, Fort Myers on the southwest coast, and Cape Coral near the southwestern coast. The Atlantic Ocean borders the eastern side of the state, while the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) borders the western and southern coasts. Notable geographic features labeled include the Coastal Plain in the northern portion, Osceola National Forest in north-central Florida, Everglades National Park in the southern tip, Dry Tortugas National Park off the southwestern coast, and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge in the Keys.

KEY INSIGHTS

Dam locations are distributed throughout Florida with notable concentrations in several regions. The heaviest clustering of dams occurs in the western panhandle region, particularly around the area north and west of Tallahassee extending toward the Alabama border. Another significant concentration appears in the central Florida region, particularly in the area surrounding and south of Orlando, extending toward the Lake Wales Ridge area. A third notable concentration is visible in the southeastern coastal region between Palm Bay and Fort Myers. The northern tier of the state, particularly in the panhandle, shows considerably higher dam density compared to the southern peninsula. The southernmost portions of Florida, including the Everglades and the Keys, show very sparse or no dam locations. Coastal areas show varied patterns, with some coastal regions having moderate dam presence while others, particularly along stretches of the Atlantic coast and the southwestern Gulf coast, show fewer installations.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

USACE Dams Layer

This layer represents dam locations throughout Florida as documented in the National Inventory of Dams, including structures that meet criteria for hazard potential classification or minimum size and storage thresholds.

USACE Dams (blue circular icons with "i" symbol)

Appearance:

Each dam is represented by a small blue circular icon containing a lowercase "i" symbol, suggesting an information point marker.

Distribution:

Dam locations are spread across the entire state with varying density. The highest concentrations appear in the western panhandle, central Florida, and portions of the southeastern region. Distribution is notably sparse in the Everglades region and absent in the Keys.

Notable locations:

The western panhandle region north of Panama City shows the densest cluster of dam locations. Central Florida around the Orlando area and extending southward shows another major concentration. The area between West Palm Beach and Fort Myers on the southeastern coast contains a significant grouping. North-central Florida around Gainesville and Jacksonville shows moderate distribution.

Spatial patterns:

Dams appear to cluster in regions away from the immediate coastline, with concentrations in interior areas and along what appear to be drainage basin regions. The distribution suggests correlation with water management districts and agricultural regions. Linear patterns are visible in some areas, potentially following waterway corridors. The pattern shows clear avoidance of the Everglades ecosystem and the absence of dams in the island chain of the Keys.

Overlapping Patterns

In areas of high dam density, particularly in the western panhandle and central Florida, individual icons overlap or appear in very close proximity, indicating multiple dams within small geographic areas. These clusters may represent complex water management systems or regions with multiple water control structures serving agricultural, flood control, or water supply purposes.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The dams shown on this map meet at least one of four specific criteria: high hazard potential (loss of human life likely if dam fails), significant hazard potential (no probable loss of life but potential for economic loss or environmental damage), equal to or exceeding 25 feet in height with more than 15 acre-feet of storage, or exceeding 6 feet in height with equal to or exceeding 50 acre-feet of storage. 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 about 5 percent of dams shown. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the NID database but does not own most of these dams, and operation, maintenance, and repair responsibilities belong to individual dam owners. The map represents a snapshot of registered dams and may not include all water control structures in the state. Users should contact respective state or federal regulatory authorities for the most current information about specific dams.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

The data comes from the 2025 National Inventory of Dams (NID), a congressionally authorized database maintained and published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in cooperation with the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO), state and territorial agencies, and federal dam-regulating agencies. Starting in November 2021, state and federal dam safety regulatory entities can enter data directly and provide real-time updates. This dataset represents the State of Florida subset of the national inventory. Data source layer name: USACE_DAMS_MAR25.

Definition Query:

This map displays only dams located within the State of Florida that meet NID inclusion criteria. The filtering represents a geographic subset of the national database limited to Florida's boundaries.

Scale Information:

The map is displayed at a statewide scale showing the entire State of Florida and portions of neighboring states. At this scale, individual dam locations are visible as point markers, though in areas of high density, individual dams may appear closely clustered or overlapping. This scale is appropriate for understanding statewide distribution patterns and regional concentrations but is not suitable for identifying specific dam locations or characteristics.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Time Period of Content:

The data represents the National Inventory of Dams as of March 2025. The NID is continuously updated as state and federal entities provide information. Individual dam records may have been last inspected or updated at different times.

Limitations:

The NID contains only dams that meet specific size, storage, or hazard potential criteria, and does not represent all water control structures in Florida. Privately-owned dams comprise approximately 70 percent of the inventory, and data completeness may vary by ownership type. The database relies on reporting from multiple state and federal agencies, and the currency of information for individual dams may vary. This map shows point locations only and does not indicate dam size, type, condition, hazard classification, or ownership. Users requiring detailed information about specific dams should consult the respective state or federal regulatory authority.

Map Coverage:

The map extent covers the entire State of Florida from approximately the Georgia-Florida and Alabama-Florida borders in the north to the Florida Keys in the south, and includes adjacent portions of Georgia, Alabama, and the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of America for geographic context.

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