Ward Lake Dam

BRADEN RIVER· Manatee, Florida· Built 1973· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Ward Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Florida. It was completed in 1973 and is 53 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 20.6% in FL)
Dam Length850 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage240 acre-ft
Normal Storage240 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1973 (53 years old)
NID IDFL00281

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
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SWFWMD

Ownership

CITY OF BRADENTON

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ward Lake Dam?

Ward Lake 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 Ward Lake Dam?

Ward Lake Dam is owned by CITY OF BRADENTON (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Ward Lake Dam built?

Ward Lake Dam was completed in 1973, making it 53 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 Ward Lake Dam?

Ward Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Ward Lake Dam?

Ward Lake 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.

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.