Elkem Sludge Holding Pond 5c Dam

About Elkem Sludge Holding Pond 5c Dam

The primary purpose of Elkem Sludge Holding Pond 5c 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 Emc Ashtabula, Inc.. It impounds the Tributary To Lake Erie - Offstream near Ashtabula.

The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 2,475 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 9 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 190 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1988, the structure is 38 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 09/29/2022.

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