Buffalo Creek Dam # 5
Buffalo Creek Dam # 5 is an earth dam located in Prince Edward County, Virginia. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Buffalo Creek Dam # 5
The primary purpose of Buffalo Creek Dam # 5 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 Piedmont Soil And Water Conservation District;piedmont Soil And Water Conservation District (local government). It impounds the Morris Branch Of Buffalo Creek - Vahu6 Ja07 Buffalo Creek - Little Buffalo Creek near Farmville.
The dam stands 37 feet tall and stretches 790 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 20 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,350 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/24/2021.
At 37 feet, this dam is taller than 84% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Virginia |
| County | Prince Edward |
| Nearest City | Farmville |
| River/Stream | Morris Branch Of Buffalo Creek - Vahu6 Ja07 Buffalo Creek - Little Buffalo Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.17940, -78.56920 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Length | 790 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,350 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,350 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 102 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 20 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,950 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District;Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 09/24/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VA147007 |
| Federal ID | VA147007 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |