Cove Point Lng Secondary Dam

About Cove Point Lng Secondary Dam

The primary purpose of Cove Point Lng Secondary Dam 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 Bhe Gt&s, A Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (private). It impounds the Wilbur Creek near Cove Point.

The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 230 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 42 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1974, 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. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 06/24/2022.

At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 85% of dams nationwide.

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