Sa 8b S.c.

About Sa 8b S.c.

The primary purpose of Sa 8b S.c. 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 Pcs Phosphate (private). It impounds the Swift Creek near Ellaville.

The dam stands 34 feet tall and stretches 4,106 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,320 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 42,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 206 square miles. Completed in 1999, the structure is 27 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. 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 09/07/2005. That was over 20 years ago.

At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 80% of dams nationwide.

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