Swan Buffalo Det D# 5 dam
Swan Buffalo Det D# 5
Swan Buffalo Det D# 5, also known as Buffalo Dam or Garsteig Dam, is a local government-owned structure located in Mapleton, North Dakota. Built in 1961 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 39 feet and has a length of 1072 feet, serving primarily for flood risk reduction along Buffalo Creek-TR. With a storage capacity of 2019.7 acre-feet and a surface area of 30.8 acres, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Managed by the NDSWC, Swan Buffalo Det D# 5 is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state of North Dakota, ensuring its structural integrity and safety. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam's condition is currently not rated. The dam has undergone modifications in 1968 to enhance its structural stability, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining its effectiveness in flood control and water management.
With a spillway width of 300 feet and no outlet gates, Swan Buffalo Det D# 5 has a moderate risk assessment rating. Although emergency preparedness measures such as EAPs and inundation maps are not currently in place, the dam continues to meet regulatory guidelines and plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding area from the impacts of flooding. As a key piece of infrastructure in the region, this dam serves as a critical asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in sustainable water management practices.
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 Swan Buffalo Det D# 5 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rush River At Amenia | 4 cfs | → |
| Maple River Nr Mapleton | 135 cfs | → |
| Maple River Bl Mapleton | 149 cfs | → |
| Maple River Nr Enderlin | 105 cfs | → |
| Sheyenne River Diversion At West Fargo | 142 cfs | → |
| Sheyenne River At West Fargo | 702 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Swan Buffalo Det D# 5.
Track Swan Buffalo Det D# 5 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 Swan Buffalo Det D# 5
Where does the data for Swan Buffalo Det D# 5 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 Significant 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 Swan Buffalo Det D# 5.