Patterson Creek No.20 dam
Patterson Creek No.20
Located in Mineral County, West Virginia, Patterson Creek No.20, also known as Liller Run, is a locally owned earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS in 1967 for flood risk reduction along the Liller Run stream. Standing at a height of 61 feet with a hydraulic height of 52 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 457 acre-feet and serves a drainage area of 1.56 square miles. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type and high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2014 deemed it satisfactory, with a moderate risk rating.
Managed by the state regulatory agency DWWM, Patterson Creek No.20 is subject to regular state inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its functionality and safety. With a primary purpose of flood risk reduction, this dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential inundation during heavy rainfall events. While it lacks associated structures and a controlled spillway, the dam's design and construction by the Natural Resources Conservation Service highlight a commitment to effective water resource management.
As water resource and climate change enthusiasts explore the intricacies of dam infrastructure, Patterson Creek No.20 stands as a notable example of local government efforts to mitigate flood risks in the region. With its rock and soil foundation, the dam's 400-foot length and 5-acre surface area contribute to its ability to store and regulate water flow along Liller Run. As stakeholders continue to monitor and maintain this vital piece of water infrastructure, its role in safeguarding the community from potential flooding remains paramount in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Creek No.20 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Branch Potomac River At Barnum | 2,780 cfs | → |
| North Branch Potomac River At Luke | 3,810 cfs | → |
| Patterson Creek Near Headsville | 472 cfs | → |
| Georges Creek At Franklin | 244 cfs | → |
| Abram Creek At Oakmont | 236 cfs | → |
| North Branch Potomac River At Kitzmiller | 1,210 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Patterson Creek No.20.
Boat launches
- Mount Zion Road Garrett County
- Springfield Pike Hampshire County
- Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Trail Allegany County
- Blue Trail Garrett County
- Kimsey Run Road Hardy County
Campgrounds
- Robert W. Craig Memorial Campground
- Robert W. Craig - Jennings Randolph Lake
- Abram’S Creek Retreat & Campground
- Wallman/Laurel Run - Potomac State Forest
- Lost Land Run - Potomac State Forest
- Big Run State Park
Fishing spots
- Savage River Reservoir
- Georges Creek
- Dans Mountain Pond
- Little Youghiogheny River Reservoir
- Broadford Lake
- North Branch Potomac River
Paddle runs
- Begins As River Passes Under The Herrington Manor Road Bridge At Oakland, Maryland To The Corporate Boundary Of Friendsville, Maryland
- Begins Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River To Wardensville
- The West Virginia 259 Bridge South Of Wardensville To Ends Where The Lost River Becomes The Cacapon River
- Jake Hill Road Bridge To Shreve Store
- Wardensville To The Town Of Capon Bridge
- Capon Bridge To Ends Just South Of Largent
Track Patterson Creek No.20 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 Creek No.20
Where does the data for Patterson Creek No.20 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 High 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 Patterson Creek No.20.