Mesabi Chief Tailings 3
Key Takeaway
Mesabi Chief Tailings 3 is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is tailings.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 24 ft (taller than 70.7% in MN) |
| Dam Length | 9,800 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 2.3K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1.2K acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Year Completed | 1960 (66 years old) |
| NID ID | MN00779 |
Safety Information
No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
Magnetation
Private
Nearby Dams
Mesabi Chief Clarification
Itasca, MN
Low Hazard 24 ftMesabi Chief Tailings 2
Itasca, MN
Low Hazard 40 ftNspc Initial Tailings
St. Louis, MN
Low Hazard 45 ftReservoir No. 6
Itasca, MN
Low Hazard 35 ftReservoir No. 5
St. Louis, MN
Unknown 25 ftReservoir No. 2
Itasca, MN
Significant Hazard 33 ftNspc Stage 2 Tailings
St. Louis, MN
Significant Hazard 60 ftO'Brien North
Itasca, MN
Significant Hazard 49 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Mesabi Chief Tailings 3?
Mesabi Chief Tailings 3 is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.
Who owns and operates Mesabi Chief Tailings 3?
Mesabi Chief Tailings 3 is owned by Magnetation (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Mesabi Chief Tailings 3 built?
Mesabi Chief Tailings 3 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 Mesabi Chief Tailings 3?
Mesabi Chief Tailings 3 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 Mesabi Chief Tailings 3?
Mesabi Chief Tailings 3 has a dam height of 24 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 Mesabi Chief Tailings 3 last inspected?
Mesabi Chief Tailings 3 was last inspected on October 4, 2023. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.