Nichols Lake Dam

NICHOLS CREEK· Santa Rosa, Florida· Built 1971· Earth· 14 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Fish And Wildlife Pond Private

Key Takeaway

Nichols Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Florida. It was completed in 1971 and is 55 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 14 ft (taller than 28.3% in FL)
Dam Length395 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage140 acre-ft
Normal Storage83 acre-ft
Surface Area18 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge216 cfs
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)
NID IDFL00072

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: April 4, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NWFWMD

Ownership

NICHOLS LAKE CAMPGROUND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Nichols Lake Dam?

Nichols Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Nichols Lake Dam?

Nichols Lake Dam is owned by NICHOLS LAKE CAMPGROUND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Nichols Lake Dam built?

Nichols Lake Dam was completed in 1971, making it 55 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Nichols Lake Dam?

Nichols Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Nichols Lake Dam?

Nichols Lake Dam has a dam height of 14 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Nichols Lake Dam last inspected?

Nichols Lake Dam was last inspected on April 4, 2023. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.