Buffalo Creek Dam # 6 dam
Buffalo Creek Dam # 6
Buffalo Creek Dam # 6, also known as Bell Lake, is a key flood risk reduction structure located in Keysville, Virginia. Owned by the local government, this earth dam stands at a height of 38 feet and spans 746 feet in length. It holds a maximum storage capacity of 1,373 acre-feet of water, with a normal storage level of 100 acre-feet across its 19.1-acre surface area. The dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Virginia and is considered to have a significant hazard potential.
Despite being in fair condition as of the last assessment in February 2020, Buffalo Creek Dam # 6 is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The spillway, which is uncontrolled and 125 feet wide, helps manage excess water during heavy rainfall events. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam is equipped with emergency action plans in case of a potential breach or flooding situation. As a vital component in the region's flood risk reduction efforts, Buffalo Creek Dam # 6 plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding community from potential water-related disasters.
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 Creek Dam # 6 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Creek Near Hampden Sydney | 29 cfs | → |
| Cub Creek At Phenix | 79 cfs | → |
| Appomattox River At Farmville | 80 cfs | → |
| Holiday Creek Near Andersonville | 2 cfs | → |
| North Meherrin River Near Lunenburg | 78 cfs | → |
| Roanoke (Staunton) River At Randolph | 1,470 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buffalo Creek Dam # 6.
Boat launches
- County Road 706 Prince Edward County
- Sandy River Reservoir Boat Ramp
- State Park Road 2618, Appomattox County
- Prince Edward County
- Otter's Path Trail Prince Edward County
- Scuffletown Road Charlotte County
Campgrounds
Track Buffalo Creek Dam # 6 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 Creek Dam # 6
Where does the data for Buffalo Creek Dam # 6 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 Buffalo Creek Dam # 6.