Borax Solar Evaporation Ponds

Offstream· Kern, California· Built 1984· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Tailings Private

Key Takeaway

Borax Solar Evaporation Ponds is classified as low hazard in California. It was completed in 1984 and is 42 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 12.6% in CA)
Dam Length10,383 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage242 acre-ft
Surface Area21 acres
Year Completed1984 (42 years old)
NID IDCA01190

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: August 30, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DWR, Division of Safety of Dams

Ownership

Rio Tinto

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Borax Solar Evaporation Ponds?

Borax Solar Evaporation Ponds is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Borax Solar Evaporation Ponds?

Borax Solar Evaporation Ponds is owned by Rio Tinto (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Borax Solar Evaporation Ponds built?

Borax Solar Evaporation Ponds was completed in 1984, making it 42 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Borax Solar Evaporation Ponds?

Borax Solar Evaporation Ponds serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Tailings. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Borax Solar Evaporation Ponds?

Borax Solar Evaporation Ponds has a dam height of 18 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Borax Solar Evaporation Ponds last inspected?

Borax Solar Evaporation Ponds was last inspected on August 30, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.