Fgd Effluent #4

About Fgd Effluent #4

The primary purpose of Fgd Effluent #4 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 Pacificorp (private). It impounds the Dry Gulch near Hwy 189.

The dam stands 63 feet tall and stretches 55,500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 37 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 1,596 acre-feet. Completed in 2010, the structure is relatively new.

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 08/18/2021.

At 63 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.

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