Patterson dam
Patterson
Patterson is a privately owned recreational dam located on Timbergut Creek in Perryville, Alabama. Completed in 1960, the earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 24 feet and a structural height of 28 feet, with a length of 530 feet. With a storage capacity of 140 acre-feet, the dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
Managed by the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Patterson has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition assessment. Despite not being regulated or inspected by the state, the dam's emergency action plan status, inundation maps, and risk assessment are not documented. With its tranquil surroundings and limited risk, Patterson provides a unique opportunity for recreation while also serving as a point of interest for those interested in water resource management and climate-related topics in the Tallapoosa region of Alabama.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Patterson offers a glimpse into the world of private recreational dams in Alabama. With its historical significance dating back to 1960 and its association with Timbergut Creek, the dam provides a setting for outdoor activities while also raising questions about regulatory oversight and emergency preparedness. As a privately owned structure with limited state involvement, Patterson represents a balance between recreation and environmental considerations, making it an intriguing case study for those interested in the intersection of water management and climate issues.
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 Patterson -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hillabee Creek Near Hackneyville Al | 130 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River Nr New Site | 752 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River At Wadley Al | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Hatchet Creek Below Rockford Al | 229 cfs | → |
| Talladega Creek At Alpine Al | 118 cfs | → |
| Sougahatchee Creek At Co Rd 188 Nr Loachapoka | 37 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Patterson.
⚓ Boat launches
- Hamlet Mill Road Tallapoosa County
- R L Harris Dam Road Randolph County
- Boat Ramp Road, Jacksons' Gap
- County Road 888 Randolph County
- County Road 895 Randolph County
- Primrose Lane Randolph County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Wind Creek State Park
- Lake Martin Military
- Lake Martin Recreation Area
- Turnipseed Campground
- Turnipseed Hunter Camp
- Lake Chinnabee
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Patterson 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 Patterson
Where does the data for Patterson 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.