Sauntry Creek Settling Reservoir Report

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Sauntry Creek Settling, located in St.


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Summary

Louis County, Minnesota, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1977 for the primary purpose of tailings storage. With a height of 32 feet and a length of 600 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 1,500 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 58 acres. Sauntry Creek serves as the water source for the dam and has a drainage area of 0.27 square miles.

Despite being categorized as a low hazard potential structure with a fair condition assessment, Sauntry Creek Settling is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Environmental and Water Resources division. The last inspection took place in August 2013, with a frequency of every 8 years. The surrounding area is under the jurisdiction of state regulatory agencies, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards.

For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Sauntry Creek Settling presents an interesting case study in dam management and environmental stewardship. The dam's role in tailings storage highlights the intersection of water resource utilization and industrial activities, while its state-regulated status underscores the importance of maintaining infrastructure integrity and safety in the face of changing climate conditions. As we continue to navigate the challenges of water resource management in a warming world, structures like Sauntry Creek Settling serve as important touchstones for understanding the evolving relationship between water, climate, and human development.

Year Completed

1977

Dam Length

600

Dam Height

32

River Or Stream

SAUNTRY CREEK

Primary Dam Type

Earth

Surface Area

58

Drainage Area

0.27

Nid Storage

1500

Structural Height

32

Hazard Potential

Low

Foundations

Unlisted/Unknown

Nid Height

32
       
Seasonal Comparison

Weather Forecast

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. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum
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. Investigations and studies are necessary.
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.
Not Available
Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

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, environment 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.
Not Available
Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.