Mitchell Bottom Ash Ponds

About Mitchell Bottom Ash Ponds

The primary purpose of Mitchell Bottom Ash Ponds 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 American Electric Power (public utility). It impounds the Ohio River near Graysville.

The dam stands 27 feet tall and stretches 280 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 4 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 464 acre-feet. Completed in 1975, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 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 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 03/31/2023.

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