Buffalo Lake Dam
Buffalo Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Guilford County, North Carolina, built in 1922. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Buffalo Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Buffalo Lake Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Lenoir Warehouse Group, Llc (private). It impounds the North Buffalo Creek near Greensboro.
The dam stands 23 feet tall and stretches 960 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 76 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 868 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1922, the structure is over a century 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/22/2024.
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 North Carolina 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 | North Carolina |
| County | Guilford |
| Nearest City | Greensboro |
| River/Stream | North Buffalo Creek |
| Coordinates | 36.11320, -79.78320 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Length | 960 ft |
| Year Completed | 1922 (104 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 868 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 868 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 608 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 76 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 5,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Lenoir Warehouse Group, LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 02/22/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00599 |
| Federal ID | NC00599 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |