Upper Buffalo No.22 Dam dam
Upper Buffalo No.22 Dam
Upper Buffalo No.22 Dam, also known as Big Run Dam, is a critical infrastructure managed by a local government in Marion, West Virginia. Built in 1975 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth dam stands at 66 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 57 feet, serving the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Big Run river. With a storage capacity of 722 acre-feet and a drainage area of 1.65 square miles, this dam plays a crucial role in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
The dam's condition was last assessed in 2015 and was deemed satisfactory, despite its high hazard potential. The inspection frequency is set at every two years to ensure its continued safety and functionality. While the dam has an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, it lacks associated locks, emphasizing its focus on flood risk reduction rather than navigation. The risk assessment for Upper Buffalo No.22 Dam indicates a moderate level of risk, with measures in place to manage and mitigate potential hazards.
In the event of an emergency, the dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status and readiness remain unclear, highlighting the need for updated protocols and guidelines. With David B. McKinley (R) as the representative for the area, ongoing monitoring and maintenance of Upper Buffalo No.22 Dam are essential to uphold its critical role in protecting the community and environment from flooding risks.
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 Upper Buffalo No.22 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Creek At Barrackville | 73 cfs | → |
| West Fork River At Enterprise | 197 cfs | → |
| Tygart Valley River At Colfax | 741 cfs | → |
| Deckers Creek At Morgantown | 48 cfs | → |
| Dunkard Creek At Shannopin | 76 cfs | → |
| West Fork River Near Mount Clare | 271 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Buffalo No.22 Dam.
Boat launches
- Mon River Trail South Marion County
- Caperton Trail 371, Star City
- Mon River Trail North Monongalia County
- Monroe County Park District Ramp
- Point Marion
- New Geneva
Fishing spots
- Bruceton Mills Public Fishing Area
- Belmot Lake
- Belmont Lake
- Barnesville Reservoir Number Three
- Barnesville Lake
- Barnesville Lake #4
Paddle runs
- Route 33/8 To Jobs Run Near Porterwood
- Begins As River Passes Under The Herrington Manor Road Bridge At Oakland, Maryland To The Corporate Boundary Of Friendsville, Maryland
- Otter Creek To Blackwater
- North Fork To Hickory Lick Run
- Enter Otter Creek Wilderness To Exit Otter Creek Wilderness
- Begins Below The Youghiogheny River Lake Dam In Confluence, Pennsylvania To Ends In South Connellsville, Pennsylvania
Track Upper Buffalo No.22 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 Upper Buffalo No.22 Dam
Where does the data for Upper Buffalo No.22 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 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 Upper Buffalo No.22 Dam.