Buffalo Creek Dam # 1
Buffalo Creek Dam # 1 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 # 1
The primary purpose of Buffalo Creek Dam # 1 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 Falling Creek.
The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 750 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 34 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,537 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 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 36 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Virginia |
| County | Prince Edward |
| River/Stream | Falling Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.28450, -78.55350 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Length | 750 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,537 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,537 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 465 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 34 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
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 | VA147001 |
| Federal ID | VA147001 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |