Sporn Bottom Ash Dam

About Sporn Bottom Ash Dam

The primary purpose of Sporn Bottom Ash 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 Appalachian Power Co (public utility). It impounds the Ohio near New Haven.

The dam stands 42 feet tall and stretches 2,500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 9 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 279 acre-feet.

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 07/31/2022.

At 42 feet, this dam is taller than 89% of dams nationwide.

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