Cobre Main Tailings Dam
Cobre Main Tailings Dam is an other dam located in Grant County, New Mexico, built in 1968. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Cobre Main Tailings Dam
The primary purpose of Cobre Main Tailings Dam 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 Freeport Mcmoran Corporation (private). It impounds the Hanover Creek - Tr near Fierro.
The dam stands 310 feet tall and stretches 5,540 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 130 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,590 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1968, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. 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 07/01/2020.
At 310 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The New Mexico dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | New Mexico |
| County | Grant |
| Nearest City | Fierro |
| River/Stream | Hanover Creek - Tr |
| Coordinates | 32.85130, -108.08800 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Other |
| NID Height | 310 ft |
| Dam Height | 310 ft |
| Dam Length | 5,540 ft |
| Year Completed | 1968 (58 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,590 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,590 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 130 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Tailings |
| Owner | FREEPORT MCMORAN CORPORATION |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/01/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NM00417 |
| Federal ID | NM00417 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |