Spires Dam

BIG HEAD BRANCH· Walton, Florida· Built 1952· Earth· 12 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Spires Dam is classified as low hazard in Florida. It was completed in 1952 and is 74 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 20.6% in FL)
Dam Length250 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage158 acre-ft
Normal Storage140 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge3,328 cfs
Year Completed1952 (74 years old)
Year Modified1999
NID IDFL00040

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: May 17, 1994
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NWFWMD

Ownership

R.B. & MINNIE

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Spires Dam?

Spires Dam 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 Spires Dam?

Spires Dam is owned by R.B. & MINNIE (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Spires Dam built?

Spires Dam was completed in 1952, making it 74 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 Spires Dam?

Spires Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, 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 Spires Dam?

Spires Dam has a dam height of 12 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 Spires Dam last inspected?

Spires Dam was last inspected on May 17, 1994. 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.