Mill #3 Tailings Pond dam
Mill #3 Tailings Pond
Mill #3 Tailings Pond, also known as J-457 or Rain Talis, is a private-owned earth dam located in Elko, Nevada. With a height of 107 feet and a length of 2300 feet, this tailings pond has a storage capacity of 3200 acre-feet. Managed by the Nevada Division of Water Resources, the dam is primarily used for tailings disposal and is constructed with a stone core and rock and soil foundations.
Despite being categorized as having low hazard potential, the condition assessment of Mill #3 Tailings Pond is currently unavailable. The dam has one controlled outlet gate and falls under the jurisdiction of the Mine Safety and Health Administration for regulatory oversight and inspections. While it is not marked as a USACE structure, the dam's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and management measures are not specified, indicating a need for further evaluation and monitoring to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Mill #3 Tailings Pond presents an intriguing case study in dam management and environmental stewardship. With its unique design and purpose, this earth dam serves as a crucial component of the mining operations in the region. Understanding the dam's structural integrity, risk assessment, and emergency preparedness are vital for safeguarding water resources and mitigating potential environmental impacts in the event of a breach or failure. Continued monitoring and collaboration between regulatory agencies and private owners are essential to ensure the safety and sustainability of Mill #3 Tailings Pond in the face of changing climate conditions and water resource management challenges.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Mill #3 Tailings Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Humboldt R Nr Carlin | 94 cfs | → |
| Maggie Ck At Carlin | 8 cfs | → |
| Susie Creek At Carlin | 0 cfs | → |
| Humboldt R At Palisade | 108 cfs | → |
| Marys Creek At Carlin | 4 cfs | → |
| S F Humboldt R Ab Dixie C Nr Elko | 65 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mill #3 Tailings Pond.
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
Track Mill #3 Tailings Pond in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Mill #3 Tailings Pond
Where does the data for Mill #3 Tailings Pond come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Mill #3 Tailings Pond.