Gribben Tailings Basin Dam
Gribben Tailings Basin Dam is an earth dam located in Marquette County, Michigan, built in 1977. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Gribben Tailings Basin Dam
The primary purpose of Gribben Tailings Basin Dam is tailings. Tailings dams contain waste material from mining operations — typically a slurry of finely ground rock left over after valuable minerals have been extracted. These structures require ongoing monitoring because tailings can contain heavy metals and other contaminants. The dam is owned by Tilden Mining Company Lc (private). It impounds the Trib To Goose Lake Outlet near Gwinn.
The dam stands 115 feet tall and stretches 22,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,198 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 15,400 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1977, the structure is 49 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/09/2016.
At 115 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Michigan |
| County | Marquette |
| Nearest City | Gwinn |
| River/Stream | Trib To Goose Lake Outlet |
| Coordinates | 46.43333, -87.51667 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 115 ft |
| Dam Height | 115 ft |
| Dam Length | 22,000 ft |
| Year Completed | 1977 (49 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 19,900 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 15,400 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 19,900 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,198 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 23 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Tailings |
| Owner | Tilden Mining Company LC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 12/09/2016 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MI00113 |
| Federal ID | MI00113 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |