West Stephens Settling, located in St. Louis County, Minnesota, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1964 for the primary purpose of tailings storage. This dam, standing at a height of 10 feet and stretching for 3000 feet, has a maximum storage capacity of 344 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 86 acre-feet. It is situated on Second Creek and is maintained by local residents.

Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and being in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in 2009, West Stephens Settling has not been inspected since 2014. The dam does not fall under state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, or enforcement, with no federal agency involvement in its ownership, funding, design, construction, regulation, inspection, or operation. With a spillway width of 0 feet, this dam lacks certain safety features that are important for mitigating risks associated with potential flooding events.

While West Stephens Settling may not be currently considered a high-risk structure, the lack of recent inspections and the absence of certain safety measures raise concerns about its ability to withstand extreme weather events or other challenges in the future. Water resource and climate enthusiasts should monitor the status of this dam and advocate for proper maintenance and oversight to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and the integrity of the water storage facilities.