Sporn Unit 5 Flyash Dam

About Sporn Unit 5 Flyash Dam

The primary purpose of Sporn Unit 5 Flyash 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 Appalachian Power Co (public utility).

The dam stands 65 feet tall and stretches 7,293 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 70 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,219 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles.

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 07/31/2022.

At 65 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.

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