Irwin Creek Flood Protection Dike dam
Irwin Creek Flood Protection Dike
The Irwin Creek Flood Protection Dike in Charlotte, North Carolina, serves a crucial role in flood risk reduction along the Irwin Creek-Os river. Owned by the local government and regulated by the NC Department of Environmental Quality, Dam Safety Program, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 14 feet and stretches over 1450 feet in length. With a high hazard potential, the dike has been assessed as satisfactory in condition, last inspected in January 2020 with a frequency of every 2 years.
Located in Mecklenburg County, the dike plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events. While the dam's primary purpose is flood risk reduction, it also serves as a critical infrastructure in the region. Although specific details such as completion year, storage capacity, and discharge rates are not provided, the dike's design and regulatory oversight ensure its effectiveness in safeguarding the community from water-related disasters.
Climate and water resource enthusiasts will appreciate the strategic importance of the Irwin Creek Flood Protection Dike in maintaining the safety and resilience of Charlotte's urban landscape. As part of the broader flood management system in the area, this structure highlights the collaborative efforts between local government and state agencies to mitigate flood risks and protect the community from the impacts of extreme weather events. The dam's satisfactory condition and regular inspections underscore its role as a reliable defense against potential inundation, making it a crucial asset in the region's climate adaptation and disaster preparedness strategies.
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 Irwin Creek Flood Protection Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Irwin Creek Near Charlotte | 17 cfs | → |
| Taggart Creek At West Boulevard Nr Charlotte | 0 cfs | → |
| Stewart Creek At West Morehead St At Charlotte | 11 cfs | → |
| Stewart Creek At State St At Charlotte | 13 cfs | → |
| Coffey Creek Nr Charlotte | 2 cfs | → |
| Little Hope Cr At Seneca Place At Charlotte | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Irwin Creek Flood Protection Dike.
Boat launches
- Wilkinson Boulevard Belmont
- East Charlotte Avenue Downtown
- Soldier Road 15299, Mecklenburg County
- Copperhead Island Mecklenburg County
- Riverbend Boat Ramp
- Neck Road 5744, Huntersville
Campgrounds
- Mcdowell Nature Preserve
- Sign Language
- Ebenezer County Park
- Kings Mountain State Park
- Andrew Jackson State Park
- Hounds Gateway Campground
Fishing spots
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Buck Branch
- Benfield Creek
- Abbotts Creek
- Arrowhead Lake
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
Track Irwin Creek Flood Protection Dike 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 Irwin Creek Flood Protection Dike
Where does the data for Irwin Creek Flood Protection Dike 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 High 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 Irwin Creek Flood Protection Dike.