Poly Met Hrf Dam dam
Poly Met Hrf Dam
Poly Met Hrf Dam, also known as the Hydrometallurgical Residue Facility, is a private-owned structure located in Embarrass, St. Louis County, Minnesota. This earth dam stands at a height of 111 feet and spans a length of 950 feet, with a surface area of 97 acres. Its primary purpose is for tailings storage and it is regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
With a significant hazard potential, Poly Met Hrf Dam remains in "Not Rated" condition as its last assessment date is unknown. Although it has not been assigned an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) or updated contact information for emergency situations, the dam undergoes inspections every four years. Positioned within the St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, this dam plays a crucial role in managing waste materials in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the Poly Met Hrf Dam can appreciate its unique design by BARR Engineering and its role in storing tailings in the area. Its location in Minnesota and ownership by a private entity adds to the intrigue surrounding this structure, making it a focal point for those interested in water resource management and environmental stewardship.
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.
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 Poly Met Hrf Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Kawishiwi R Abv White Iron Lake Nr Ely | 2,210 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 1,450 cfs | → |
| Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Basswood River Near Winton | 6,670 cfs | → |
| Knife River Near Two Harbors | 43 cfs | → |
| Vermilion River Nr Crane Lake | 1,110 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Poly Met Hrf Dam.
Boat launches
- Mesabi Trail Biwabik
- Bear Head Lake State Park Saint Louis County
- Country Club Road 8699, Saint Louis County
- Soudan Boat Launch
- Hoodoo Point Road Tower
- Vermillion Ridge Road Saint Louis County
Campgrounds
- Heritage City Park
- Fisherman's Point Citycampground
- Fishermans Point City Campground
- Vermilion Trail
- Vermilion Trail Park Campground
- Bear Head Lake State Park
Fishing spots
Track Poly Met Hrf Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Poly Met Hrf Dam
Where does the data for Poly Met Hrf 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 above 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.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Poly Met Hrf Dam.