(7.3) WATER DATA: Florida's Dam Spillways: Withlacoochee River (south) at Inglis
Florida's Dam Spillways
Withlacoochee River (south):
The Inglis Dam, Lock & Spillways below Lake Rousseau (a.k.a. Withlacoochee Backwater)
Along with the Cross Florida Barge Canal (west end)
An Information, Opinion, Photos, & Sources Report
Compiled by Ocklawahaman Paul Nosca
With the assistance of Captain Erika Ritter
Created: 23 June 2013
Last Revised: 26 June 2023
Inglis Dam was originally completed across Florida's Withlacoochee River (south) in 1909 for the purpose of hydroelectric power generation by the then Florida Power Corporation. It produced power up until 1965. http://inglishydropower.com/History.html
Inglis Dam blocks access by Florida manatees and various marine or estuarine-type fishes to the Rainbow River (a.k.a. Blue Run) and its headwater Rainbow Springs along with the upper reaches of the Withlacoochee River (south). No historical records have been found that describe the existence of any native striped bass population in the Withlacoochee River (south) prior to the construction of the Inglis Dam.
Inglis Main Spillway
Upstream is Lake Rousseau (3,400 acre pool at elevation [elv.] 27.5 feet above sea level).
Downstream is the "Lower" Withlacoochee River (tailrace elv. 2 feet BELOW sea level to 5 feet above sea level).
Fall (head) at the dam averages 25 feet and was used for hydroelectric power generation up until 1965.
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/fl/nwis/uv/?site_no=02313231&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
Inglis Main Spillway
(Lake Rousseau side)
Inglis Main Spillway
(Lake Rousseau side)
Inglis Main Spillway
(Lake Rousseau side 27.5 feet elv.)
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/fl/nwis/uv/?site_no=02313230&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
Inglis Main Spillway
(Lake Rousseau side 27.5 feet elv.)
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/fl/nwis/uv/?site_no=02313230&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
Inglis Main Spillway
(tailrace side with water discharge of 0.00 cubic feet per second [cfs])
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/fl/nwis/uv/?site_no=02313231&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
Inglis Main Spillway
(tailrace side less than 4 feet ABOVE sea level elv. during high tide--may be 2 feet BELOW sea level elev. at low tide)
Inglis Bypass Spillway
(Tailrace side with water discharge of 465 cfs)
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/fl/nwis/uv/?site_no=02313250&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
Inglis Bypass Spillway
(Tailrace side with water discharge of 465 cfs)
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/fl/nwis/uv/?site_no=02313250&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
Inglis Lock of the Cross Florida Barge Canal
(viewing lockage chamber and looking west towards the Gulf of Mexico)
Inglis Lock of the Cross Florida Barge Canal
(on the sea level side looking west towards the Gulf of Mexico)
REFERENCE AS: Nosca, P. 2023. "Florida's dam spillways: Withlacoochee River (south) at Inglis" webpage report. "Paul Nosca's bass fishing photos" website. Paul Nosca, Eureka, FL.
https://sites.google.com/site/paulnoscasbassfishingphotos/fl-dam-spillways-inglis
Email: ocklawahaman1@gmail.com
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