Douglas Tailings

Dempsey Creek-TR· St. Louis, Minnesota· Built 1960· Earth· 40 ft tall
Significant Hazard Tailings Local Government

Key Takeaway

Douglas Tailings is classified as significant hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is tailings. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 40 ft (taller than 93.1% in MN)
Dam Length5,600 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.0K acre-ft
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDMN00775

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: No
Last Inspection: September 21, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

County of St. Louis (partial ownership)

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Douglas Tailings?

Douglas Tailings 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 Douglas Tailings?

Douglas Tailings is owned by County of St. Louis (partial ownership) (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Douglas Tailings built?

Douglas Tailings was completed in 1960, making it 66 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Douglas Tailings?

Douglas Tailings 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 Douglas Tailings?

Douglas Tailings has a dam height of 40 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 Douglas Tailings last inspected?

Douglas Tailings was last inspected on September 21, 2023. 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.