Sa 6a S.c.

About Sa 6a S.c.

The primary purpose of Sa 6a S.c. 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 Pcs Phosphate (private). It impounds the Swift Creek near Ellaville.

The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 22,300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 724 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 24,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1992, the structure is 34 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/23/1998. That was over 27 years ago.

At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 85% of dams nationwide.

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