The Pend Oreille Mine NW Tailings Dam in Pend Oreille, Washington, stands as a vital structure managed by a private entity, designed by Knight Piesold.
Wind
Humidity
Completed in 2002, this earth dam serves the primary purpose of storing tailings, with a hydraulic height of 67 feet and a length of 800 feet. Despite its modest surface area of 3 acres, the dam boasts significant storage capacity, with a NID storage of 2900 acre-feet.
Maintained by the Washington Dept of Ecology, the Pend Oreille Mine NW Tailings Dam has undergone regular inspections, with its condition assessed as satisfactory as of July 2019. This dam poses a significant hazard potential, yet the risk management measures remain unspecified. While the dam has not experienced modifications in recent years, its emergency action plan status and adherence to guidelines are unclear, pointing to potential areas for improvement in emergency preparedness.
Located offstream from the Pend Oreille River, this dam is a critical component of the region's water resource infrastructure. With its storage capacity and regulatory oversight, the Pend Oreille Mine NW Tailings Dam underscores the importance of proactive monitoring and maintenance in safeguarding against potential hazards and ensuring the safety of surrounding communities and ecosystems.
Year Completed |
2002 |
Dam Length |
800 |
River Or Stream |
Offstream - Pend Oreille R. |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
3 |
Hydraulic Height |
67 |
Drainage Area |
0.42 |
Nid Storage |
2900 |
Structural Height |
67 |
Hazard Potential |
Significant |
Foundations |
Rock, Soil |
Nid Height |
67 |
Outlet Creek Near Metaline Falls
|
19cfs |
Pend Oreille River Below Box Canyon Near Ione
|
27700cfs |
Columbia River At International Boundary
|
85600cfs |
Priest R Outflow Nr Coolin
|
1350cfs |
Boundary Creek Nr Porthill Id
|
312cfs |
Colville River At Kettle Falls
|
166cfs |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Grandview Boat-In Campsite
|
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Ledbetter Cove Boat-In Campsite
|
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Mill Pond Campground
|
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Mill Pond
|
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Sullivan Lake
|
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West Sullivan Campground
|