Solid Waste Disposal Cell J

About Solid Waste Disposal Cell J

The primary purpose of Solid Waste Disposal Cell J 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 Tata Chemical (private). It impounds the Pond Draw near Jamestown.

The dam stands 50 feet tall and stretches 3,328 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 47 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 550 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 2011, the structure is relatively new.

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 04/16/2024.

At 50 feet, this dam is taller than 93% of dams nationwide.

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