Merry Dam dam
Merry Dam
Merry Dam, located in Beverly, Washington, is a state-regulated structure owned and managed by the Washington Department of Ecology. Built in 1976, this dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene spot for water enthusiasts to enjoy activities such as boating and fishing. With a hydraulic height of 10 feet and a structural height of 7 feet, Merry Dam has a storage capacity of 105 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 140 acres.
Situated on Tr-Lower Crab Creek, Merry Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in Grant County, Washington. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam has not been assessed for its condition in recent years. The last inspection took place in June 1998, emphasizing the need for regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and efficiency of this earth and rockfill structure. With a drainage area of 29.9 square miles, Merry Dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 219 cubic feet per second.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate in the region can appreciate the significance of Merry Dam in providing recreational opportunities and regulating water flow in the area. As a state-managed structure with historical roots dating back to the mid-20th century, Merry Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in balancing human recreational needs with environmental preservation. With ongoing inspection and potential risk assessment measures, Merry Dam continues to play a vital role in the local ecosystem and water infrastructure of Washington State.
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 Merry Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crab Creek Near Beverly | 180 cfs | → |
| Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam | 149,000 cfs | → |
| Yakima River At Umtanum | 2,070 cfs | → |
| Yakima River Above Ahtanum Creek At Union Gap | 2,580 cfs | → |
| Ahtanum Creek At Union Gap | 72 cfs | → |
| Crab Creek Near Moses Lake | 50 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Merry Dam.
Boat launches
- Road 26 Southwest Desert Aire
- Vernita Bridge 96, Mattawa
- Road 3 Northwest Grant County
- Road U Northwest 2522, Quincy
- Grant County
- Road U Northwest Grant County
Track Merry Dam 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 Merry Dam
Where does the data for Merry 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 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 Merry Dam.