Pend Oreille Mine Ne Tailings Dam Dam
Pend Oreille Mine Ne Tailings Dam
The Pend Oreille Mine NE Tailings Dam in Washington state, designed by Knight Piesold and completed in 2001, serves as an offstream structure along the Pend Oreille River. Standing at a height of 72 feet, this earth dam with rockfill core has a storage capacity of 2,900 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3 acres. It is regulated by the Washington Department of Ecology and undergoes regular inspections, with the last one conducted in July 2019.
With a significant hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is equipped to handle emergencies, although details on emergency action plans and risk assessments are currently unavailable. Its purpose primarily revolves around storing tailings, and its location in Pend Oreille County emphasizes the importance of responsible management and maintenance to ensure the safety of nearby communities and the environment. As a site of ongoing monitoring and enforcement, the Pend Oreille Mine NE Tailings Dam stands as a crucial piece of infrastructure in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the intricate design and operational details of the Pend Oreille Mine NE Tailings Dam, recognizing its role in mitigating potential hazards and safeguarding water resources in the area. As a privately owned structure overseen by state regulatory agencies, this dam serves as a testament to the importance of effective dam management practices in maintaining the balance between human development and environmental conservation. Its proximity to the Pend Oreille River underscores the interconnectedness of water resources, infrastructure, and climate resilience, highlighting the need for continual vigilance and adherence to safety protocols to protect both the dam and the surrounding ecosystem.
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 Pend Oreille Mine Ne Tailings Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Outlet Creek Near Metaline Falls | 19 cfs | → |
| Pend Oreille River Below Box Canyon Near Ione | 16,700 cfs | → |
| Columbia River At International Boundary | 91,600 cfs | → |
| Priest R Outflow Nr Coolin | 216 cfs | → |
| Boundary Creek Nr Porthill Id | 36 cfs | → |
| Colville River At Kettle Falls | 49 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pend Oreille Mine Ne Tailings Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Pend Oreille Mine Ne Tailings Dam
Where does the data for Pend Oreille Mine Ne Tailings Dam 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 Significant 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 below 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.
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.