Twelvepole Refuse Impoundment

Mingo, West Virginia· Earth· 235 ft tall
High Hazard Tailings Private

Key Takeaway

Twelvepole Refuse Impoundment is classified as high hazard in West Virginia. 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 235 ft (taller than 92.5% in WV)
Dam Length1,165 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage5.7K acre-ft
NID IDWV05920

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
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Lexington Coal Company, LLC

Private

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Aldrich Branch Slurry Impoundment

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Fresh Water Impoundment

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Rock House Branch Slurry Impoundment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Twelvepole Refuse Impoundment?

Twelvepole Refuse Impoundment 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 Twelvepole Refuse Impoundment?

Twelvepole Refuse Impoundment is owned by Lexington Coal Company, LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Twelvepole Refuse Impoundment?

Twelvepole Refuse Impoundment 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 Twelvepole Refuse Impoundment?

Twelvepole Refuse Impoundment has a dam height of 235 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.

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.