Buffalo Creek dam
Buffalo Creek
Buffalo Creek, located in Park County, Colorado, is a privately owned dam that serves primarily for water supply purposes. Completed in 1979, this earth dam stands at a height of 21 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 270 acre-feet. With a normal storage level of 145 acre-feet and a surface area of 25 acres, Buffalo Creek plays a crucial role in water management in the region. The dam also offers recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy.
Managed by the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Buffalo Creek is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement measures to ensure its safety and efficacy. With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment, the dam poses minimal risk to surrounding communities. However, a moderate risk assessment rating of 3 indicates some level of potential danger that requires continued monitoring and risk management measures. The last inspection in October 2015 found the dam to be in good condition, with regular inspections scheduled every 6 years to maintain its integrity.
Despite its low hazard potential, Buffalo Creek remains a vital component of the water infrastructure in the area, providing essential water supply and recreational opportunities. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and monitoring of structures like Buffalo Creek are crucial in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water supplies in the region. By adhering to state regulations and implementing risk management measures, Buffalo Creek serves as a valuable asset in managing water resources in Colorado.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Buffalo Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas River Below Granite | 379 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Granite | 145 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Above Clear Creek Reservoir | 147 cfs | → |
| S Platte R Ab 11-Mile Canyon Re | 253 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Below Empire Gulch Near Malta | 113 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River Near Nathrop | 430 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buffalo Creek.
Boat launches
- Ahra - Railroad Bridge Rec Site
- Ahra - Number 4 Rec Site
- Cr 390 Chaffee County
- Ahra - Fishermans Bridge Rec Site
- Ahra - Ruby Mountain Rec Sits
- Cr 300 22504, Nathrop
Campgrounds
- Buffalo Springs
- Buffalo Springs Campground
- Mushroom Gulch Site 3
- Mushroom Gulch Site 2
- Mushroom Gulch Site 1
- Weston Pass Campground
Fishing spots
- Antero Reservoir
- Rich Creek
- Clear Creek Reservoir
- Spinney Mountain Reservoir
- Sunnyside Fishing Site
- Whistler Point
Paddle runs
- Fractions
- Buena Vista Whitewater Park
- Arkansas River Segment 2
- Milk Run
- Numbers
- Browns Canyon (Fisherman's Bridge To Stone Bridge)
More reservoirs
Track Buffalo Creek in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Buffalo Creek
Where does the data for Buffalo Creek come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Buffalo Creek.