Irvin dam
Irvin
Irvin, also known as the Doris Irvin Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Durhamville, Tennessee, along the Hatchie River. Built in 1943 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth-type dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, small fish pond, and fish and wildlife preservation. With a hydraulic height of 11.1 feet and a structural height of 15.3 feet, Irvin has a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 6.1 acres, making it an essential asset for the local ecosystem.
Despite its low hazard potential, Irvin presents a moderate risk level (3) due to its outdated inspection frequency of 5 years. The dam has not undergone a recent condition assessment and lacks an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) meeting current guidelines. While the dam's design and construction are sound, there are concerns about its long-term maintenance and ability to handle potential emergencies. With no outlet gates and an uncontrolled spillway, Irvin's risk management measures need to be updated to ensure its continued safety and functionality for the surrounding community.
In the hands of private owners, Irvin stands as a crucial infrastructure for the conservation of fish and wildlife in the area. However, with its historical significance and current risk assessment, there is a pressing need for updated inspections, maintenance, and emergency preparedness to safeguard this dam and the ecosystem it supports along the Hatchie River in Tennessee.
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 Irvin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchie River At Rialto | 3,940 cfs | → |
| South Fork Forked Deer River Near Owl City | 821 cfs | → |
| Loosahatchie River Near Arlington | 168 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Forked Deer River Near Fairview | 222 cfs | → |
| Hatchie River At Bolivar | 1,850 cfs | → |
| Fletcher Creek At Sycamore View Road At Memphis | 31 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Irvin.
Track Irvin 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 Irvin
Where does the data for Irvin 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 Irvin.