Hunner Tailings dam
Hunner Tailings
Hunner Tailings, located in La Prairie, Minnesota, is a local government-owned dam that was completed in 1956 for the primary purpose of tailings storage. This earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and stretches 8,800 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 3,750 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. Despite being classified as low hazard potential, the dam is deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in 2009.
Situated on the Prairie River-OS, Hunner Tailings serves as a critical structure in the local water resource management system, with a drainage area of 1.4 square miles. The dam's primary function is to contain tailings material, highlighting its importance in environmental protection and water quality preservation efforts in the region. While the dam has not undergone significant modifications in recent years, its operational and safety protocols are up to date, with the last inspection conducted in 2014 confirming its satisfactory condition.
With its buttress core design and satisfactory condition, Hunner Tailings stands as a testament to responsible dam management practices in Minnesota. As climate change continues to impact water resources and hydrological systems, the effective regulation and maintenance of dams like Hunner Tailings are essential for mitigating potential risks and ensuring the long-term sustainability of water supplies in the region. Enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate resilience can appreciate the role that dams like Hunner Tailings play in safeguarding critical water infrastructure and supporting environmental stewardship efforts.
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 Hunner Tailings -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Grand Rapids | 489 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Taconite | 274 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Aitkin | 2,950 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hunner Tailings.
⚓ Boat launches
- Prairie Lake (S)
- Prairie Lake (W)
- Trout Lake, Longyear Park
- O'Reilly Lake
- Trout Lake (N)
- Prairie River (N)
⛺ Campgrounds
- Itasca County Fairgrounds
- Itasca County Fairgrouds Campground
- Pokegama-Coe
- Pokegama Rec Area
- Kom-On-In Beach Campground
- Pug Hole Wayside Park
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →🛶 Paddle runs
- The Confluence Of The Prairie River To The Boundary Of Logan And Workman Townships
- Lake Winnigigoshish To Blackwater Lake
- Dora Lake To State Highway 6
- The Boundary Between Logan And Workman Townships In Aitkin County To The Dam Entrance Of The Flood Diversion Channel
- Cass Lake To Lake Winnibigoshish
- The Discharge Of The Flood Diversion Channel To Riverton
Track Hunner Tailings 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 Hunner Tailings
Where does the data for Hunner Tailings 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 Low 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 Hunner Tailings.