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| Irvine Finch Dam | |
|---|---|
| Name | Irvine Finch Dam |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Location | Irvine, Orange County |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening | 1962 |
| Owner | Orange County Water District |
| Type | Earthfill |
| Height | 145 ft |
| Length | 2,600 ft |
| Reservoir | Irvine Finch Reservoir |
| Capacity | 18,200 acre⋅ft |
Irvine Finch Dam
Irvine Finch Dam is a major earthfill impoundment near Irvine, California in Orange County, California constructed to provide regional water storage, flood control, and groundwater recharge. The project intersects with agencies such as the Orange County Water District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and local municipalities including the City of Irvine and Newport Beach. It forms Irvine Finch Reservoir and interacts hydrologically with the Santa Ana River, nearby watersheds, and conveyance systems like the California State Water Project and the Colorado River Aqueduct.
Planning for the dam arose amid mid-20th century growth in Southern California and followed studies by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey, and regional water planners from the Orange County Flood Control District. Groundbreaking in 1958 was attended by officials from the California Department of Water Resources, Orange County Board of Supervisors, and representatives from the Irvine Company. Construction contractors included firms linked to major infrastructure projects of the era such as Bechtel Corporation and Fluor Corporation, employing engineering practices informed by precedents like Hoover Dam and Shasta Dam. The impoundment was completed and placed into service in 1962 during policy debates involving leaders from the California State Legislature and water policy advocates associated with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
Irvine Finch Dam is an earthfill embankment with a central impermeable core and rock-shell abutments, designed by consulting engineers who previously worked on projects for the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Key specifications include a structural height of approximately 145 feet, crest length near 2,600 feet, and a total storage capacity around 18,200 acre‑feet in Irvine Finch Reservoir. Appurtenant structures include an emergency spillway modeled on criteria developed after flood events like the Los Angeles Flood of 1938 and instrumentation packages using monitoring standards from the International Commission on Large Dams and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Outlet works connect to recharge facilities operated by the Orange County Water District and pipelines linked to the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project.
Operational control balances seasonal inflow forecasting by the National Weather Service and hydrologic models from the United States Geological Survey with groundwater recharge programs run by the Orange County Water District and regional supply management by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The dam supports conjunctive use strategies tied to water imported via the California State Water Project and the Colorado River Aqueduct, and interfaces with reclamation projects by utilities such as the Orange County Sanitation District and municipal systems in the City of Irvine. Emergency operations plans coordinate with Federal Emergency Management Agency protocols and local emergency services including the Orange County Fire Authority and Irvine Police Department.
Environmental reviews referenced statutes and programs such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the California Environmental Quality Act, and consultations with agencies like the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Impacts included altered flow regimes affecting native species in the Santa Ana River basin, interactions with riparian corridors and wetlands overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency, and mitigation measures coordinated with conservation groups such as the Sierra Club and Audubon Society. Fish passage, habitat restoration, and monitoring programs involved partnerships with academic institutions including the University of California, Irvine and California State University, Fullerton.
Safety protocols follow guidelines from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for non-federal dams and inspection practices recommended by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials and the California Division of Safety of Dams. Routine maintenance includes slope stabilization, seepage monitoring, seismic instrumentation calibrated to United States Geological Survey standards for Southern California fault zones, and contingency planning referencing seismic studies from the Southern California Earthquake Center. Major rehabilitation projects have engaged engineering contractors experienced with projects at dams like Castaic Dam and Perris Dam.
Recreational use of Irvine Finch Reservoir and surrounding lands is managed through agreements among the Orange County Water District, the City of Irvine, and local park agencies such as OC Parks. Amenities and access rules align with public safety guidance from the California Department of Parks and Recreation and local ordinances enacted by the Orange County Board of Supervisors. Activities include regulated boating, birdwatching coordinated with groups like the Audubon Society of Orange County, and trail use linking to regional greenways influenced by planners from the Irvine Ranch Conservancy and the Great Park project.
Category:Dams in California Category:Buildings and structures in Orange County, California