Buchanan Lake Dam dam
Buchanan Lake Dam
Buchanan Lake Dam in Mississippi is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 2000, this earth dam stands at a height of 23.7 feet and has a length of 550 feet. It has a storage capacity of 164 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 12.5 acres. The dam is regulated by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and is inspected, permitted, and enforced by state authorities.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Buchanan Lake Dam is considered to have a moderate risk level. While the condition assessment is not rated, the dam has not been modified in recent years and does not have any associated structures or outlet gates. The spillway type is uncontrolled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 21 cubic feet per second. The dam's risk management measures, emergency action plan, and inundation maps are not readily available, suggesting a need for improved emergency preparedness and risk mitigation strategies.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find Buchanan Lake Dam an interesting case study for its recreational significance and state-regulated status. With its location in Rankin County, Mississippi, and under the jurisdiction of the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, this dam serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of water management, environmental regulations, and infrastructure development in the region. Further research and monitoring of Buchanan Lake Dam could provide valuable insights into mitigating risks and ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources in the area.
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 Buchanan Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Strong River At D`Lo | 129 cfs | → |
| Pearl River At Jackson | 2,430 cfs | → |
| Hanging Moss Creek Nr Jackson | 203 cfs | → |
| Lynch Creek At Jackson | 207 cfs | → |
| Pearl River Nr Rockport | 5,700 cfs | → |
| South Canal Tuscolameta Creek Nr Walnut Grove | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buchanan Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Spillway Road Rankin County
- Fannin Landing Circle Rankin County
- East River Road Rankin County
- West River Road Jackson
- Madison Landing Circle 101, Ridgeland
- Browns Landing Road Madison County
Track Buchanan Lake Dam 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 Buchanan Lake Dam
Where does the data for Buchanan Lake Dam 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 Buchanan Lake Dam.