INTREPID POTASH WEST PLANT DAM - NM00436-3036
Dam Name: INTREPID POTASH WEST PLANT DAM
State: NM
Downstream Hazard Potential: L
Incident Type: Failure
Incident Date: 10/17/2015
Incident Driver: Seepage/Internal Erosion
Incident Mechanism 1: Piping
Incident Mechanism 2Cracking
Incident Mechanism 3Settlement
Incident IDNM00436-3036
Incident DescriptionPiping is believed to be initiated by cracking across the reservoir floor and dam embankment caused by land subsidence due to mining activities underneath the dam and reservoir footprint. Piping tunnel was 1-2 feet diameter (not measured).
Named Hydrologic Event
EAP Enacted (Y/N) due to IncidentNo
Fatalities (Number)0
Number of People Evacuated0
Number of Habitable Structures Evacuated0
Number of Habitable Structures Flooded0
Other Infrastructure ImpactsNone
Economic Damages (in $)
Response
Volume released at failure (ac-ft)1.5
Additional Remarks or UpdatesBrine release from the downstream toe of the dam was noticed by a worker around 7:15AM who notified his superior. Equipments and workers were mobilized in an attempt to stop the leak, but were unable to stop it and leak continued until the entire content escaped (reservoir was empty by 4:00PM the same day). An intermediate dike containing the reservoir on the south side was breached to divert the reservoir content into different area. This helped in reducing the brine release quantity to the downstream area. Escaped quantity was estimated around 500,000 gallons. Piping tunnel was 1-2 feet diameter (not measured).
Owner TypeP
Dam TypeRE
Primary Purpose(s)T
EAPNR
Dam Height68 ft
Max Storage (ac-ft)2078.00
Surface Area (acres)128.00
Year Completed1978
NID NumberNM00436
River NamePECOS RIVER-TR
Latitude32.4836
Longitude-103.927
Year Modified
Regulatory Agency(ies)Office of the State Engineer
Incident Time7:15 AM
Incident Duration1 day
Incident Report ProducedYes
Information SourcesDam owner and NM Dam Safety Bureau
