Empire Mine Tailings Basin Dam dam
Empire Mine Tailings Basin Dam
The Empire Mine Tailings Basin Dam, also known as Etb #2 & West Dams, F Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Gwinn, Michigan. This significant dam was completed in 1975 and serves the primary purpose of containing tailings from mining operations. With a height of 163 feet and a hydraulic height of 143 feet, this earth dam spans a length of 27,800 feet and has a storage capacity of 117,000 acre-feet.
Managed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the dam is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. The hazard potential is rated as significant, but the condition assessment as of September 2019 was deemed satisfactory. However, the risk assessment is classified as very high (1), highlighting the importance of proper risk management measures and emergency preparedness.
Situated near Green Creek in Marquette County, the Empire Mine Tailings Basin Dam poses a crucial role in the regional water resource infrastructure. Its controlled spillway and large storage capacity make it a vital component in managing water flow and potential discharge events. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and regulation of such dams become increasingly critical for ensuring public safety and environmental protection in the face of evolving hydrological conditions.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Empire Mine Tailings Basin Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Schweitzer Creek Near Palmer | 6 cfs | → |
| Greenwood Diversion Near Greenwood | 17 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Escanaba River Nr Princeton | 154 cfs | → |
| Greenwood Release Near Greenwood | 25 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Escanaba River At Humboldt | 20 cfs | → |
| Michigamme River Near Crystal Falls | 668 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Empire Mine Tailings Basin Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Empire Mine Tailings Basin Dam
Where does the data for Empire Mine Tailings Basin Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card below for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.