Irvin Lake Dam dam
Irvin Lake Dam
Irvin Lake Dam, located in Rabun County, Georgia, was completed in 1984 and serves as a recreational water resource for the area. The dam stands at a height of 37 feet and has a hydraulic height of 23 feet, with a length of 500 feet. Despite being privately owned and not regulated by the state, the dam has been inspected regularly, with the last inspection dating back to 2009, and has been assigned a low hazard potential rating.
With a normal storage capacity of 23 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 31 acre-feet, Irvin Lake Dam plays a vital role in providing water for the surrounding community. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and it features uncontrolled outlet gates. While the risk assessment for the dam is considered moderate, with a rating of 3, there are no specific risk management measures or emergency action plans in place.
Overall, Irvin Lake Dam offers a picturesque setting for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. Its Earth core type and buttress foundation make it a stable structure, contributing to its low hazard potential. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the presence of this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of properly managing and maintaining our water infrastructure to ensure the safety and sustainability of our natural resources.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Irvin Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tallulah River Ab Powerhouse | 36 cfs | → |
| Chattooga River Near Clayton | 301 cfs | → |
| Tallulah River Near Clayton | 78 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River Near Leaf | 294 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River Near Cornelia | 573 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Helen | 85 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Irvin Lake Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Irvin Lake Dam
Where does the data for Irvin Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card below for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.