Intrepid Potash West Plant Dam

About Intrepid Potash West Plant Dam

The primary purpose of Intrepid Potash West Plant 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 Intrepid Potash, Inc. (private). It impounds the Pecos River-tr near Rural.

The dam stands 68 feet tall and stretches 4,500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 128 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,078 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1978, the structure is 48 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. The most recent inspection on record was 02/28/2019.

At 68 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.

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