Unimin Tailings Dam

Back Creek· Frederick, Virginia· Earth· 96 ft tall
High Hazard Tailings Private

Key Takeaway

Unimin Tailings Dam is classified as high hazard in 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 96 ft (taller than 98.5% in VA)
Dam Length1,600 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.7K acre-ft
Drainage Area2 sq mi
NID IDVA069018

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: No
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Energy

Ownership

Unimin Corporation

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Unimin Tailings Dam?

Unimin Tailings 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 Unimin Tailings Dam?

Unimin Tailings Dam is owned by Unimin Corporation (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Unimin Tailings Dam?

Unimin 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 Unimin Tailings Dam?

Unimin Tailings Dam has a dam height of 96 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.