Pumping Station 129 Dam (Lake Okeechobee)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Pumping Station 129
NID ID: FL00301
Longitude: -81
Latitude: 27.03
County: GLADES
River: LEVEE 49 BORROW DITCH
State: FL
Nearest City: LITTLE SARASOTA
Distance: 4 miles
Owner Name: SFWMD (PAST C&SF; FCD)
Owner Type: State
Private Dam? No
Dam Type: Other
Purposes: Flood Control
Year Completed: 1963
Year Modified/Mod Type: 0
Structural Height: 22 feet
Hydraulic Height: 36 feet
Maximum Storage: 8519000 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 4596000 acre-feet
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? No
Inspection Frequency: 0
State Regulated Dam? Yes
Spillway Width: 0 feet
Source Agency:

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:




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