Irving dam
Irving
Irving is a hydroelectric dam located on the Thornapple River in Barry, Michigan. Built in 1939, this structure stands at a height of 18 feet and has a storage capacity of 235 acre-feet. The dam, featuring earth and gravity construction, serves the primary purpose of generating hydroelectric power and has a low hazard potential.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Irving has undergone regular inspections, with the last one conducted in September 2017. The dam has a spillway width of 80 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 13,600 cubic feet per second. With a drainage area of 495 square miles, Irving plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region and contributes to the renewable energy sector.
Irving's operational efficiency and low hazard potential make it a key player in sustainable water resource management and climate action initiatives. As a vital hydroelectric facility in Michigan, Irving continues to showcase the importance of balancing energy production with environmental stewardship to meet the growing demands of a changing climate.
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.
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 Irving -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Thornapple River Near Hastings | 252 cfs | → |
| Rabbit River Near Hopkins | 46 cfs | → |
| Quaker Brook Near Nashville | 21 cfs | → |
| Grand River At Grand Rapids | 4,000 cfs | → |
| Augusta Creek Near Augusta | 37 cfs | → |
| Wanadoga Creek Near Battle Creek | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Irving .
Boat launches
- Leach Lake Road Carlton Township
- 84th Street Southeast 9620, Bowne Township
- Patterson Road 2373, Martin Township
- Green Lake Boat Launch
- Cascade Road Southeast 14216, Lowell Charter Township
- Tasker Road Odessa Township
Campgrounds
- Yankee Springs Deep Lake-Rustic
- Deep Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
- Tyden City Park
- Gun Lake - Yankee Springs State Rec Area
- Barry Expo Center
- Winding Creek Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Morley Dam In T13n, R10w To Croton Dam Pond In T12n, R11w
- Croton Dam In T12n, R11w To City Of Newaygo In T12n, R12w
More reservoirs
Track Irving in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Irving
Where does the data for Irving 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 above 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.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Irving .