Patterson

Beaver River· Beaver, Pennsylvania· Built 1825· Timber Crib· 14 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Patterson is classified as low hazard in Pennsylvania. It was completed in 1825 and is 201 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 14 ft (taller than 23.9% in PA)
Dam Length700 ft
Dam TypeTimber Crib
Max Storage380 acre-ft
Normal Storage380 acre-ft
Surface Area72 acres
Drainage Area1,981 sq mi
Max Discharge60,000 cfs
Year Completed1825 (201 years old)
NID IDPA01790

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
Last Inspection: August 8, 2017
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Beaver Valley Power Company, LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Patterson?

Patterson 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?

Patterson is owned by Beaver Valley Power Company, LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Patterson built?

Patterson was completed in 1825, making it 201 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?

Patterson serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Patterson?

Patterson has a dam height of 14 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.

When was Patterson last inspected?

Patterson was last inspected on August 8, 2017. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

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.