Simplot Silica Tailings Raise Dam

About Simplot Silica Tailings Raise Dam

The primary purpose of Simplot Silica Tailings Raise 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 Simplot Silica Products (private). It impounds the Muddy River.

The dam stands 100 feet tall and stretches 10,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 106 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 1,000 acre-feet. Completed in 2014, the structure is relatively new.

This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. The most recent inspection on record was 04/17/2018.

At 100 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.

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