Willis Mt. Tailings Pond

Buckingham, Virginia· Earth· 35 ft tall
Significant Hazard Tailings Private

Key Takeaway

Willis Mt. Tailings Pond is classified as significant hazard in Virginia. Its primary use is tailings. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 35 ft (taller than 80% in VA)
Dam Length700 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage382 acre-ft
NID IDVA029045

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
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Kyanite Mining Corp.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Willis Mt. Tailings Pond?

Willis Mt. Tailings Pond 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 Willis Mt. Tailings Pond?

Willis Mt. Tailings Pond is owned by Kyanite Mining Corp. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Willis Mt. Tailings Pond?

Willis Mt. Tailings Pond 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 Willis Mt. Tailings Pond?

Willis Mt. Tailings Pond has a dam height of 35 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.