The Ohio Valley Coal Slurry Disposal Dam

TRIBUTARY TO CAPTINA CREEK· Belmont, Ohio· Built 1981· Earth· 275 ft tall
High Hazard Tailings Private

Key Takeaway

The Ohio Valley Coal Slurry Disposal Dam is classified as high hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1981 and is 45 years old. Its primary use is tailings. 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 275 ft (taller than 99.9% in OH)
Dam Length850 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage30.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage28.7K acre-ft
Surface Area292 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge154 cfs
Year Completed1981 (45 years old)
NID IDOH01099

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: September 25, 2000
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

Ohio Valley Coal Resources, Inc.(OVCRI)

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of The Ohio Valley Coal Slurry Disposal Dam?

The Ohio Valley Coal Slurry Disposal 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 The Ohio Valley Coal Slurry Disposal Dam?

The Ohio Valley Coal Slurry Disposal Dam is owned by Ohio Valley Coal Resources, Inc.(OVCRI) (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was The Ohio Valley Coal Slurry Disposal Dam built?

The Ohio Valley Coal Slurry Disposal 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 The Ohio Valley Coal Slurry Disposal Dam?

The Ohio Valley Coal Slurry Disposal 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 The Ohio Valley Coal Slurry Disposal Dam?

The Ohio Valley Coal Slurry Disposal Dam has a dam height of 275 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 The Ohio Valley Coal Slurry Disposal Dam last inspected?

The Ohio Valley Coal Slurry Disposal Dam was last inspected on September 25, 2000. 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.