Wells Dam

TR-ELLIS CREEK· Santa Rosa, Florida· Built 1970· Earth· 16 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Wells Dam is classified as low hazard in Florida. It was completed in 1970 and is 56 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 37.7% in FL)
Dam Length543 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage106 acre-ft
Normal Storage60 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge850 cfs
Year Completed1970 (56 years old)
NID IDFL00448

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

JAMES H. WELLS

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wells Dam?

Wells 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 Wells Dam?

Wells Dam is owned by JAMES H. WELLS (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wells Dam built?

Wells Dam was completed in 1970, making it 56 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 Wells Dam?

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

How tall is Wells Dam?

Wells Dam has a dam height of 16 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 Wells Dam last inspected?

Wells 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.