Wc 3(a) Mix Area

About Wc 3(a) Mix Area

The primary purpose of Wc 3(a) Mix Area 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 The Mosaic Company (private). It impounds the Myakka River near Duette.

The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 12,885 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 175 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 01/23/2006. That was over 20 years ago.

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