Kennecott Mine Bingham Creek
Kennecott Mine Bingham Creek is an earth dam located in Salt Lake County, Utah, built in 1965. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Kennecott Mine Bingham Creek
The primary purpose of Kennecott Mine Bingham Creek is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Kennecott Utah Copper, Llc (private). It impounds the Bingham Creek near Midvale.
The dam stands 77 feet tall and stretches 1,175 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,140 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 17 square miles. Completed in 1965, 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 07/11/2023.
At 77 feet, this dam is taller than 97% 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 Utah 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 | Utah |
| County | Salt Lake |
| Nearest City | Midvale |
| River/Stream | Bingham Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.56355, -112.08282 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 77 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,175 ft |
| Year Completed | 1965 (61 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,140 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,140 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,560 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 17 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 147 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | KENNECOTT UTAH COPPER, LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/11/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | UT00039 |
| Federal ID | UT00039 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |