Sanford Cooling Reservoir

ST JOHNS RIVER-OFFSTREAM· Volusia, Florida· Built 1971· Earth· 34 ft tall
High Hazard Other Private

Key Takeaway

Sanford Cooling Reservoir is classified as high hazard in Florida. It was completed in 1971 and is 55 years old. Its primary use is other. 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 34 ft (taller than 75% in FL)
Dam Length31,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage18.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage13.2K acre-ft
Surface Area1,105 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge2,300 cfs
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)
NID IDFL00711

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: July 27, 2014
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SJRWMD

Ownership

FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY

Private

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sanford Cooling Reservoir?

Sanford Cooling Reservoir 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 Sanford Cooling Reservoir?

Sanford Cooling Reservoir is owned by FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sanford Cooling Reservoir built?

Sanford Cooling Reservoir 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 Sanford Cooling Reservoir?

Sanford Cooling Reservoir serves the following purposes: Other. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Sanford Cooling Reservoir?

Sanford Cooling Reservoir has a dam height of 34 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 Sanford Cooling Reservoir last inspected?

Sanford Cooling Reservoir was last inspected on July 27, 2014. 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.