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Today in History: Massive Dike Failure Causes Historic Coal Ash Spill

12/22/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On December 22, 2008, a dike at the Kingston Fossil Plant in Tennessee ruptured, releasing 1.1 billion gallons of coal fly ash slurry. This catastrophic spill, the largest industrial disaster in U.S. history, contaminated 300 acres of land and affected local waterways, including the Emory and Clinch Rivers, causing significant environmental damage.

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Story summary

On December 22, 2008, a dike at the Kingston Fossil Plant in Tennessee ruptured, releasing 1.1 billion gallons of coal fly ash slurry. This catastrophic spill, the largest industrial disaster in U.S. history, contaminated 300 acres of land and affected local waterways, including the Emory and Clinch Rivers, causing significant environmental damage.