Upper Buffalo No.4 Dam
Upper Buffalo No.4
Upper Buffalo No.4, also known as Owen Davy Fork and Curtisville Lake, is a flood risk reduction structure located in Marion, West Virginia. Built in 1984 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 50 feet and has a storage capacity of 1485 acre-feet. With a primary purpose of flood risk reduction, the dam serves as a crucial infrastructure in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Upper Buffalo No.4 is equipped with uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is in satisfactory condition as per the last assessment conducted in 2013. Regular inspections are carried out, with the most recent one in January 2018, ensuring the structure's integrity and safety for the community it serves.
With a moderate risk assessment rating, Upper Buffalo No.4 plays a vital role in mitigating flood risks in the region. Its strategic location on Owen Davy Run and its significant storage capacity make it a key asset in water resource management and climate resilience efforts. As a well-maintained and efficiently operated structure, Upper Buffalo No.4 stands as a testament to effective flood risk reduction infrastructure in West Virginia.
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.4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Fork River At Enterprise | 184 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Barrackville | 54 cfs | → |
| Tygart Valley River At Colfax | 1,100 cfs | → |
| West Fork River Near Mount Clare | 271 cfs | → |
| Ohio River Above Sardis | 3,170 cfs | → |
| Tygart Valley R At Tygart Dam Nr Grafton | 1,190 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Buffalo No.4.
Boat launches
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Upper Buffalo No.4
Where does the data for Upper Buffalo No.4 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 below 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.
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.