Buffalo-Red Project No. 5

Spring Creek· Clay, Minnesota· Built 1983· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Buffalo-Red Project No. 5 is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1983 and is 43 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 41.3% in MN)
Dam Length1,250 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage496 acre-ft
Drainage Area9 sq mi
Max Discharge317 cfs
Year Completed1983 (43 years old)
NID IDMN01006

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: August 30, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

WD of Buffalo-Red River

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Buffalo-Red Project No. 5?

Buffalo-Red Project No. 5 is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Buffalo-Red Project No. 5?

Buffalo-Red Project No. 5 is owned by WD of Buffalo-Red River (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Buffalo-Red Project No. 5 built?

Buffalo-Red Project No. 5 was completed in 1983, making it 43 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Buffalo-Red Project No. 5?

Buffalo-Red Project No. 5 serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Buffalo-Red Project No. 5?

Buffalo-Red Project No. 5 has a dam height of 12 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Buffalo-Red Project No. 5 last inspected?

Buffalo-Red Project No. 5 was last inspected on August 30, 2023. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.