Asamera Cannon Mine Tailings Dam

Asamera Cannon Mine Tailings Dam is an earth dam located in Chelan County, Washington, built in 1986. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Asamera Cannon Mine Tailings Dam

The primary purpose of Asamera Cannon Mine Tailings Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Conocophillips (private). It impounds the Dry Gulch near Wenatchee.

The dam stands 340 feet tall and stretches 1,150 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,500 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 950 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1986, the structure is 40 years old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. 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 10/19/2022.

At 340 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Washington dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateWashington
CountyChelan
Nearest CityWenatchee
River/StreamDry Gulch
Coordinates47.38485, -120.34071

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height340 ft
Dam Length1,150 ft
Year Completed1986 (40 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage950 acre-ft
Max Storage950 acre-ft
Normal Storage540 acre-ft
Surface Area2,500 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge1,370 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerConocoPhillips
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection10/19/2022
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDWA00499
Federal IDWA00499
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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