Minntac Tailings

Closed System-OS· St. Louis, Minnesota· Built 1978· Earth· 50 ft tall
Low Hazard Tailings Private

Key Takeaway

Minntac Tailings is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1978 and is 48 years old. Its primary use is tailings.

Physical Details

Dam Height 50 ft (taller than 96.4% in MN)
Dam Length63,360 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage143.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage114.0K acre-ft
Drainage Area13 sq mi
Year Completed1978 (48 years old)
NID IDMN00672

Safety Information

Low Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: September 27, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

US Steel

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Minntac Tailings?

Minntac Tailings 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 Minntac Tailings?

Minntac Tailings is owned by US Steel (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Minntac Tailings built?

Minntac Tailings was completed in 1978, making it 48 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 Minntac Tailings?

Minntac 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 Minntac Tailings?

Minntac Tailings 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 Minntac Tailings last inspected?

Minntac Tailings was last inspected on September 27, 2017. 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.