Simplot Tailings Dam

About Simplot Tailings Dam

The primary purpose of Simplot Tailings 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 Simplot Silica Products (private). It impounds the Colorado River-tr.

The dam stands 185 feet tall and stretches 12,200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 122 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 12,924 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 10 square miles. Completed in 1981, the structure is 45 years old.

This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected 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 04/17/2018.

At 185 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.

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