Buffalo Millpond dam
Buffalo Millpond
Buffalo Millpond is a historic masonry dam located in North Carolina, specifically in Vance County. Completed in 1864, this dam primarily serves the purpose of irrigation, making it an essential water resource for the surrounding area. With a hydraulic height of 20.2 feet and a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet, Buffalo Millpond plays a significant role in managing water levels and ensuring a stable water supply for agricultural needs.
Owned privately, Buffalo Millpond is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. The dam has a high hazard potential and undergoes inspections every two years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite its age, Buffalo Millpond is in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in February 2020, demonstrating its resilience and reliability as a key component of the local water infrastructure. Additionally, the dam offers recreational opportunities and contributes to the overall ecosystem health of Buffalo Creek.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the historical significance and functional importance of Buffalo Millpond. As a vital irrigation resource with a rich heritage dating back to the 19th century, this masonry dam represents a blend of practical utility and environmental stewardship. With its strategic location on Buffalo Creek and its role in water management, Buffalo Millpond stands as a testament to the enduring value of sustainable water infrastructure in supporting communities and ecosystems in North Carolina.
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 Millpond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tar River Near Tar River | 3 cfs | → |
| Tar R At Us 401 At Louisburg | 17 cfs | → |
| Neuse River Near Falls | 123 cfs | → |
| Knap Of Reeds Creek Near Butner | 9 cfs | → |
| Flat River At Dam Near Bahama | 2 cfs | → |
| Flat River Trib Nr Willardville | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buffalo Millpond.
Boat launches
- Jack Wade Farm Road Vance County
- Nutbush Road Vance County
- Flemingtown Road 3159, Henderson
- Duck Cove Trail Wake County
- Falls Lake Trail Wake County
Campgrounds
- Nutbush Bridge State Rec Area - Kerr Lake
- Satterwhite Pt State Rec Area - Kerr Lake
- Bullocksville State Rec Area - Kerr Lake
- Hibernia State Rec Area - Kerr Lake
- Holly Point - Falls Lake
- Overlook Campground
Track Buffalo Millpond 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 Millpond
Where does the data for Buffalo Millpond 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 High 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 Millpond.