Essar Steel Tailings Basin Reservoir Report

Last Updated: December 14, 2025

Essar Steel Tailings Basin, located in Pengilly, Minnesota, is a privately owned earth dam structure designed by Essar Steel to store tailings from mining operations.


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Summary

Completed in 2011, this 200-foot high and 30,600-foot long dam has a storage capacity of 13,770 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 1,377 acres. The basin is regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and undergoes state inspections, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its safe operation.

The tailings basin, situated in Itasca County near the O'Brien Creek, poses a significant hazard potential with a fair condition assessment as of June 2014. Despite this assessment, the risk management measures, emergency action plans, and inundation maps for the site are not readily available. In the event of an emergency, the lack of updated information on emergency contacts and preparedness raises concerns about the basin's ability to respond effectively. Climate and water resource enthusiasts may find interest in monitoring the ongoing regulatory oversight and potential improvements to enhance the safety and environmental impact of the Essar Steel Tailings Basin.

Year Completed

2011

Dam Length

30600

Dam Height

200

River Or Stream

O'BRIEN CREEK-OS

Primary Dam Type

Earth

Surface Area

1377

Drainage Area

0.14

Nid Storage

13770

Structural Height

200

Hazard Potential

Significant

Foundations

Unlisted/Unknown

Nid Height

200
       
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.