Patterson Creek No.32 Dam
Patterson Creek No.32
Patterson Creek No.32 is a vital flood risk reduction structure located in Mineral, West Virginia. Built in 1983 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 65 feet and has a drainage area of 2204 acres. With a normal storage capacity of 30.4 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 21920 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Owned by the local government and regulated by the West Virginia Division of Water and Waste Management, Patterson Creek No.32 has a high hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition according to a 2014 assessment. Despite its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose effectively. The structure's risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued functionality in safeguarding the community from flood hazards.
With Congressman David B. McKinley representing the area, Patterson Creek No.32 stands as a testament to effective water resource management and climate resilience efforts. As a key component of the Pittsburgh District's infrastructure, this dam not only helps mitigate flood risks but also contributes to the overall environmental and socio-economic well-being of the region. By staying proactive in its maintenance and emergency preparedness measures, Patterson Creek No.32 remains a critical asset in the protection of lives and property against the unpredictable forces of nature.
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.32 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Patterson Creek Near Headsville | 41 cfs | → |
| Georges Creek At Franklin | 19 cfs | → |
| North Branch Potomac River At Luke | 372 cfs | → |
| South Branch Potomac River Near Springfield | 515 cfs | → |
| North Branch Potomac River Near Cumberland | 476 cfs | → |
| North Branch Potomac River At Barnum | 305 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Patterson Creek No.32.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Patterson Creek No.32
Where does the data for Patterson Creek No.32 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 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.