Black Tailings Dam dam
Black Tailings Dam
Black Tailings Dam, located in Mineral Point, Missouri, is a privately owned structure primarily used for tailings storage. Built in 1943, this buttress dam stands at a height of 70 feet and has a length of 1430 feet, with a storage capacity of 22 acre-feet. Despite being regulated by the state's Dam and Reservoir Safety Program, the dam has a high hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition.
With its location on Mill Creek-offstream and its close proximity to the Kansas City District, Black Tailings Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and lack of outlet gates pose potential risks, but regular inspections and a moderate risk assessment rating contribute to its overall safety. Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the complex engineering and management efforts involved in maintaining this important infrastructure.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, Black Tailings Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proper dam maintenance and regulation. With a history dating back to the 1940s, this structure continues to fulfill its purpose while being subject to state oversight and inspection. Its role in managing water flow and storage in the region underscores the ongoing challenges and responsibilities associated with maintaining critical water infrastructure in the face of evolving climate conditions.
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 Black Tailings Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big River At Irondale | 40 cfs | → |
| Big River Below Desloge | 81 cfs | → |
| Big River Near Richwoods | 332 cfs | → |
| Meramec River Near Sullivan | 596 cfs | → |
| East Fork Black River Nr Lesterville | 5 cfs | → |
| Big River At Byrnesville | 368 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Black Tailings Dam.
Boat launches
- Bismarch Lake Road St. Francois County
- Council Bluff Lake Trail Washington County
- Enough Boat Launch And Trailhead
- Choctaw Drive St. Francois County
- Meramec State Park Franklin County
- Crawford County
Campgrounds
- St. Francois State Park
- Washington State Park
- St. Joe State Park
- Brazil Creek Trailhead
- Hazel Creek Campground
- Hazel Creek
Fishing spots
Track Black Tailings 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 Black Tailings Dam
Where does the data for Black Tailings 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 High 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 Black Tailings Dam.