Red Dog Tailings Back Dam

BONS CREEK· Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska· Built 2010· Earth· 66 ft tall
High Hazard Other Tailings Private

Key Takeaway

Red Dog Tailings Back Dam is classified as high hazard in Alaska. It was completed in 2010 and is 16 years old. Its primary use is other. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 66 ft (taller than 83.5% in AK)
Dam Length4,950 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage24.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area678 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Year Completed2010 (16 years old)
Year Modified2013
NID IDAK00303

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: AKDNR

Ownership

TECK ALASKA INC.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Red Dog Tailings Back Dam?

Red Dog Tailings Back Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Red Dog Tailings Back Dam?

Red Dog Tailings Back Dam is owned by TECK ALASKA INC. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Red Dog Tailings Back Dam built?

Red Dog Tailings Back Dam was completed in 2010, making it 16 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 Red Dog Tailings Back Dam?

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

How tall is Red Dog Tailings Back Dam?

Red Dog Tailings Back Dam has a dam height of 66 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 Red Dog Tailings Back Dam last inspected?

Red Dog Tailings Back Dam was last inspected on August 2, 2020. 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.