Buffalo Ranch Lake Dam dam
Buffalo Ranch Lake Dam
Buffalo Ranch Lake Dam, located in Cabarrus, North Carolina, is a private dam primarily used for recreational purposes. Built in 1956, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 15 feet and has a hydraulic height of 9 feet. The dam spans a length of 480 feet and has a storage capacity of 68 acre-feet, providing a surface area of 11.3 acres for water enthusiasts to enjoy.
Managed by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, Buffalo Ranch Lake Dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition is assessed as fair as of the last inspection in February 2021. With a drainage area of 64 square miles and a maximum discharge of 50 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the Cold Water Creek-Tr watershed.
As a key feature in the Wilmington District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo Ranch Lake Dam serves as a vital recreational destination in the region. With its scenic location in Faggerts and proximity to the Cold Water Creek-Tr river, the dam provides both local residents and visitors with opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water-based activities. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Buffalo Ranch Lake Dam an intriguing example of how dams contribute to both recreation and watershed management 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 Ranch Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky R Ab Irish Buffalo Cr Nr Rocky River | 46 cfs | → |
| Mallard Cr Bl Stony Cr Nr Harrisburg | 5 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Sr3181 Nr Mint Hill | 2 cfs | → |
| Clarke Creek Near Harrisburg | 2 cfs | → |
| Reedy Creek At Sr 2803 Nr Charlotte | · | → |
| Coddle Cr At Sr 1612 Near Davidson | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buffalo Ranch Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Old Whitney Boat Ramp
- Marina Drive 298, Montgomery County
- Badin Lake Boat Ramp
- Neck Road 5744, Huntersville
- Wildlife Rec Area Access Road 899, Davidson County
- Falls Road Stanly County
Campgrounds
- Morrow Mountain State Park
- Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp
- Shepherds Field
- Art Lilley Campground
- Badin Lake Capmground Upper Loop
- Badin Lake
Fishing spots
- Abbotts Creek
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Buddle Branch
- Buck Branch
- Arrowhead Lake
Track Buffalo Ranch 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 Buffalo Ranch Lake Dam
Where does the data for Buffalo Ranch 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 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 Ranch Lake Dam.