Red Dog Tailings Back Dam
Red Dog Tailings Back Dam is an earth dam located in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska, built in 2010. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Red Dog Tailings Back Dam
Red Dog Tailings Back Dam is a dam in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska. The dam is owned by Teck Alaska Inc. (private). It impounds the Bons Creek near Kivalina.
The dam stands 66 feet tall and stretches 4,950 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 678 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 24,757 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 2010, the structure is relatively new.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/02/2020.
At 66 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Alaska dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Alaska |
| County | Northwest Arctic Borough |
| Nearest City | Kivalina |
| River/Stream | Bons Creek |
| Coordinates | 68.04630, -162.87520 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 66 ft |
| Dam Height | 66 ft |
| Dam Length | 4,950 ft |
| Year Completed | 2010 (16 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 24,757 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 24,757 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 678 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | TECK ALASKA INC. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/02/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AK00303 |
| Federal ID | AK00303 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |