Buffalo Creek

Album: American Minor (2005)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The song's title refers to the bursting of the Buffalo Creek Dam in Logan County, West Virginia which released 132 million gallons of black waste water on February 26, 1972. The waste water was a product of the Pittston Coal Company, who also owned the dam. 125 people were killed, 1,121 injured and over 4,000 left homeless. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Andrew - Huntington, WV

Comments: 1

  • Franklin Brown from Ocklawaha FloridaActually, it was 3 dams built like stairs up in a hollow at the head of Buffalo Creek. We had a big snowfall. Then it rained for 4 days. Top dam broke, ran into the 2nd dam which instantly broke, those 2 ran into the bottom dam that instantly broke. 132 million gallons of water and sludge came down Buffalo Creek. It wasn't so much a flood as it was a tsunami. 125 people died that morning. 5 or 6 of which they've never found.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)Songwriter Interviews

The Brazilian rocker sees pictures in his riffs. When he came up with one of his gnarliest songs, there was a riot going on.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.