Polymet-Ltv dam
Polymet-Ltv
Polymet-Ltv is a privately owned tailings dam located in Embarrass, Minnesota, on the Embarrass River. Built in 1981 by LTV, this earth dam stands at 65 feet tall and spans 7000 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 3000 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections, with a fair condition assessment as of 2015.
With a significant hazard potential and moderate risk assessment rating, Polymet-Ltv poses a challenge for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam's primary purpose is to contain tailings, and its fair condition raises concerns about potential environmental impacts in the event of a failure. The surrounding St. Louis County, Minnesota community, and the Embarrass River ecosystem could be at risk in the event of a breach, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts.
Despite its fair condition assessment, Polymet-Ltv has not had an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) prepared or updated recently, raising questions about preparedness in the event of an emergency. With a significant hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, there is a need for proactive risk management measures and regular inspections to ensure the safety and integrity of this crucial water resource infrastructure. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, staying informed about the condition and regulatory oversight of Polymet-Ltv is essential in understanding the potential environmental implications and risks associated with this dam.
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 Polymet-Ltv -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Kawishiwi R Abv White Iron Lake Nr Ely | 1,650 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 1,330 cfs | → |
| Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 922 cfs | → |
| Basswood River Near Winton | 6,330 cfs | → |
| Vermilion River Nr Crane Lake | 1,070 cfs | → |
| Knife River Near Two Harbors | 35 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Polymet-Ltv.
Boat launches
- Country Club Road 8699, Saint Louis County
- Bear Head Lake State Park Saint Louis County
- Mesabi Trail Biwabik
- Soudan Boat Launch
- Vermillion Ridge Road Saint Louis County
- Hoodoo Point Road Tower
Campgrounds
- Heritage City Park
- Fisherman's Point Citycampground
- Fishermans Point City Campground
- Bear Head Lake State Park
- Temperance State Park
- Bear Island Lake
Fishing spots
Track Polymet-Ltv 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 Polymet-Ltv
Where does the data for Polymet-Ltv 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 Polymet-Ltv.