Patterson Creek No.21
Patterson Creek No.21 is an earth dam located in Mineral County, West Virginia, built in 1984. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Patterson Creek No.21
The primary purpose of Patterson Creek No.21 is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Potomac Valley Cd (local government). It impounds the Mill Creek near Burlington.
The dam stands 78 feet tall and stretches 665 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 9 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,567 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1984, the structure is 42 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/30/2025.
At 78 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The West Virginia dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Mineral |
| Nearest City | Burlington |
| River/Stream | Mill Creek |
| Coordinates | 39.33417, -78.99111 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 78 ft |
| Dam Height | 78 ft |
| Dam Length | 665 ft |
| Year Completed | 1984 (42 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,567 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,567 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 69 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 9 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 43,625 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Potomac Valley CD |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/30/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WV05727 |
| Federal ID | WV05727 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |