Medford Quarry Wash Pond

About Medford Quarry Wash Pond

The primary purpose of Medford Quarry Wash Pond 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 Bluegrass Materials Company-maryland Division (private). It impounds the Turkeyfoot Run-tr-os near Avondale.

The dam stands 26 feet tall and stretches 700 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 20 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1988, the structure is 38 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 10/10/2024.

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