Clay-Boswell

Mississippi River-TR· Itasca, Minnesota· Earth· 50 ft tall
Significant Hazard Tailings Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Clay-Boswell is classified as significant hazard in Minnesota. Its primary use is tailings. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 50 ft (taller than 96.4% in MN)
Dam Length20,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage8.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.5K acre-ft
Surface Area464 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
NID IDMN01498

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
Last Inspection: October 4, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

MN Power and Light

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Pokegama Dam

Itasca, MN

Significant Hazard 17 ft

Deer Lake

Itasca, MN

Low Hazard 6 ft

Grand Rapids

Itasca, MN

Significant Hazard 21 ft

Lind Greenway

Itasca, MN

Significant Hazard 58 ft

Prairie River

Itasca, MN

Low Hazard 35 ft

Hunner Tailings

Itasca, MN

Low Hazard 25 ft

Buckeye Tailings No. 2

Itasca, MN

Low Hazard 50 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Clay-Boswell?

Clay-Boswell 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 Clay-Boswell?

Clay-Boswell is owned by MN Power and Light (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Clay-Boswell?

Clay-Boswell 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 Clay-Boswell?

Clay-Boswell has a dam height of 50 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.

When was Clay-Boswell last inspected?

Clay-Boswell was last inspected on October 4, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

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.