Lake Buffalo

BUFFALO FORK OF LITTLE RIVER· Pocahontas, West Virginia· Built 1968· Earth· 43 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Fish And Wildlife Pond Water Supply Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Buffalo is classified as low hazard in West Virginia. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 43 ft (taller than 49.3% in WV)
Dam Length525 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage348 acre-ft
Normal Storage278 acre-ft
Surface Area22 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Max Discharge2,332 cfs
Year Completed1968 (58 years old)
NID IDWV07502

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: September 11, 2018
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USDA FS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Buffalo?

Lake Buffalo 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 Lake Buffalo?

Lake Buffalo is owned by USDA FS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Buffalo built?

Lake Buffalo was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Lake Buffalo?

Lake Buffalo serves the following purposes: Recreation, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lake Buffalo?

Lake Buffalo has a dam height of 43 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 Lake Buffalo last inspected?

Lake Buffalo was last inspected on September 11, 2018. 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.