Brushy Fork Coal Impoundment

The Brushy Fork Coal Impoundment, also known as the Brushy Fork Coal Sludge Dam, is a large tailings dam on the Brushy Fork near Marfork in western Raleigh County of West Virginia, United States. It is located 18 mi (29 km) northwest of Beckley, the seat of Raleigh County. Brushy Fork flows into Little Marsh Fork, which then enters Marsh Fork, which is a tributary of the Coal River. The purpose of the dam is to store a sludge consisting of tailings and waste from a nearby coal mine. In 1995 Massey Energy received a permit to construct the dam. Over the years additional permits to increase the size and storage volume of the dam have been issued in the midst of local and regional opposition to its structural integrity. Currently at approximately 900 ft (270 m) in height, it is the tallest dam in the Western Hemisphere. When complete its designed height will be 954 ft (291 m). Wasted rock from the coal mining process is used as the dam filler. The dam currently withholds about 25,100 acre⋅ft (31,000,000 m³) of waste. This capacity will be increased to 30,075 acre⋅ft (37,097,000 m³) upon completion.[1][2][3]

Brushy Fork Coal Impoundment
Location of Brushy Fork Coal Impoundment in West Virginia
Country	United States
Location	Marfork, Raleigh County, West Virginia
Coordinates	37°54′59.48″N 81°28′59.95″W
Purpose	Tailings storage
Status	Operational, steadily enlarged
Construction began	1995
Owner(s)	Massey Energy
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Embankment
Impounds	Brushy Fork
Height	Current: 900 ft (270 m) Design: 954 ft (291 m)
Reservoir
Total capacity	Current: 25,100 acre⋅ft (31,000,000 m3) Design: 30,075 acre⋅ft (37,097,000 m3)