Usac Gypstack Nw Cell

About Usac Gypstack Nw Cell

The primary purpose of Usac Gypstack Nw Cell is tailings. Tailings dams contain waste material from mining operations — typically a slurry of finely ground rock left over after valuable minerals have been extracted. These structures require ongoing monitoring because tailings can contain heavy metals and other contaminants. The dam is owned by The Mosaic Company (private). It impounds the Unnamed Pond near Fort Meade.

The dam stands 85 feet tall and stretches 7,320 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 59 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1962, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/07/2005. That was over 20 years ago.

At 85 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.

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