Beckjord Ash Pond C Ext. Dam

About Beckjord Ash Pond C Ext. Dam

The primary purpose of Beckjord Ash Pond C Ext. 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 New Richmond Development, Llc (public utility). It impounds the Ohio River - Offstream near New Palestine.

The dam stands 40 feet tall and stretches 6,620 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 52 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,534 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 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 05/31/2023.

At 40 feet, this dam is taller than 87% of dams nationwide.

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