Patterson Dam

Trib to Squaw Creek· Clarke, Iowa· Built 2018· Earth· 32 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Patterson Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 2018 and is 8 years old. Its primary use is grade stabilization.

Physical Details

Dam Height 32 ft (taller than 58.4% in IA)
Dam Length447 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage57 acre-ft
Normal Storage24 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed2018 (8 years old)
NID IDIA04299

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Thomas Patterson

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Patterson Dam?

Patterson Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Patterson Dam?

Patterson Dam is owned by Thomas Patterson (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Patterson Dam built?

Patterson Dam was completed in 2018, making it 8 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Patterson Dam?

Patterson Dam serves the following purposes: Grade Stabilization, Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Patterson Dam?

Patterson Dam has a dam height of 32 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.