Buffalo Drive Dam

Buffalo Drive Dam is an earth dam located in Sangamon County, Illinois, built in 1950. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.

About Buffalo Drive Dam

The primary purpose of Buffalo Drive Dam is fish and wildlife pond. The dam creates habitat for fish and wildlife, supporting local ecosystems and potentially serving conservation goals. The dam is owned by Illinois Department Of Natural Resources (state). It impounds the Trib Spring Creek near Springfield.

The dam stands 24 feet tall and stretches 280 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 14 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1950, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.

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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/26/2023.

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Significant HazardNot Available ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateIllinois
CountySangamon
Nearest CitySpringfield
River/StreamTrib Spring Creek
Coordinates39.83989, -89.64761

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height24 ft
Dam Height24 ft
Dam Length280 ft
Year Completed1950 (76 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage14 acre-ft
Max Storage14 acre-ft
Normal Storage9 acre-ft
Surface Area1 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge249 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFish and Wildlife Pond
OwnerILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Owner TypeState
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentNot Available
Last Inspection04/26/2023
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDIL50487
Federal IDIL50487
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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