Rufe Wysong Dam and Navigation Lock

WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER· Sumter, Florida· Built 1964· Earth· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Tailings State Government

Key Takeaway

Rufe Wysong Dam and Navigation Lock is classified as low hazard in Florida. It was completed in 1964 and is 62 years old. Its primary use is tailings.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 31.3% in FL)
Dam Length360 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage800 acre-ft
Surface Area87 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1964 (62 years old)
NID IDFL00431

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: April 20, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: FDEP

Ownership

SWFWMD

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rufe Wysong Dam and Navigation Lock?

Rufe Wysong Dam and Navigation Lock is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Rufe Wysong Dam and Navigation Lock?

Rufe Wysong Dam and Navigation Lock is owned by SWFWMD (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Rufe Wysong Dam and Navigation Lock built?

Rufe Wysong Dam and Navigation Lock was completed in 1964, making it 62 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 Rufe Wysong Dam and Navigation Lock?

Rufe Wysong Dam and Navigation Lock serves the following purposes: Tailings. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Rufe Wysong Dam and Navigation Lock?

Rufe Wysong Dam and Navigation Lock has a dam height of 15 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 Rufe Wysong Dam and Navigation Lock last inspected?

Rufe Wysong Dam and Navigation Lock was last inspected on April 20, 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.