Itafos Tailings Pond #4

About Itafos Tailings Pond #4

The primary purpose of Itafos Tailings Pond #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 private-owned. It impounds the Unnamed Stream Bear River near Soda Springs.

The dam stands 71 feet tall and stretches 16,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 260 acres, has a storage capacity of 12,168 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1985, the structure is 41 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 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 11/04/2020.

At 71 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.

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