Patton Creek Dam dam
Patton Creek Dam
Located in Jefferson, Alabama, the Patton Creek Dam, also known as Bains Bridge Dam, was completed in 1959 and serves as a recreational structure along the Patton Creek river. Owned privately, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 29 feet with a hydraulic height of 20 feet. With a storage capacity of 390 acre-feet, it primarily caters to recreational purposes and has a low hazard potential.
The dam, situated in Cahaba River Estates, offers a serene setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to appreciate the surrounding natural beauty. While not regulated by the state, Patton Creek Dam provides a safe recreational space for visitors to enjoy activities like fishing and boating. With a maximum discharge capacity of 1240 cubic feet per second, this dam ensures the safety and well-being of the surrounding community while providing a peaceful environment for outdoor enthusiasts to explore.
Despite not being rated for condition assessment, the Patton Creek Dam remains a vital part of the local landscape, offering both recreational opportunities and a sense of tranquility for residents and visitors alike. As a key feature in the Alabama water resource network, this earth dam serves as a testament to the harmonious coexistence between human infrastructure and natural ecosystems, making it a must-visit destination for those interested in water conservation and climate resilience.
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 Patton Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cahaba River Near Acton Al | 45 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Hoover | 100 cfs | → |
| Cahaba Valley Creek At Cross Cr Rd At Pelham | 17 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Cahaba Heights Al | 48 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Helena Al | 136 cfs | → |
| Shades Creek Near Greenwood Al | 26 cfs | → |
About Patton Creek Dam
Where does the data for Patton Creek 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 below 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.
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.