Jerritt Canyon Tailings Dam

NORTH FORK HUMBOLDT RIVER-OS· Elko, Nevada· Built 1981· Earth· 147 ft tall
Significant Hazard Tailings Private

Key Takeaway

Jerritt Canyon Tailings Dam is classified as significant hazard in Nevada. It was completed in 1981 and is 45 years old. Its primary use is tailings. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 147 ft (taller than 95.4% in NV)
Dam Length14,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage24.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage21.5K acre-ft
Surface Area300 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1981 (45 years old)
NID IDNV10194

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: August 2, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NEVADA DWR

Ownership

JERRITT CANYON GOLD LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Jerritt Canyon Tailings Dam?

Jerritt Canyon Tailings Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Jerritt Canyon Tailings Dam?

Jerritt Canyon Tailings Dam is owned by JERRITT CANYON GOLD LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Jerritt Canyon Tailings Dam built?

Jerritt Canyon Tailings Dam was completed in 1981, making it 45 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 Jerritt Canyon Tailings Dam?

Jerritt Canyon Tailings Dam serves the following purposes: Tailings. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Jerritt Canyon Tailings Dam?

Jerritt Canyon Tailings Dam has a dam height of 147 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 Jerritt Canyon Tailings Dam last inspected?

Jerritt Canyon Tailings Dam was last inspected on August 2, 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.