Canisteo water outlet construction now underway

Construction at the Canisteo Mine Pit is officially underway.

After pumping more than 4.7 billion gallons of water to manage the pit’s water levels, crews have begun building a permanent water outlet structure. Once up and running, the outlet will use gravity to flow water from the pit to the Prairie River. This will maintain Canisteo’s water levels year-round without relying on seasonal pumping.

The Canisteo Pit has naturally filled with water over the years since mining had stopped, and no company is responsible for dewatering the pit. Over time, water levels rose due to groundwater and precipitation.

The outlet is expected to to be near-completion by August. Crews have been working near Highway 61 in Itasca County removing trees, moving an iron ore stockpile, and clearing land along the outlet path. Ditching work continues, as well as culvert installation.

The system will be equipped with a sand filtration mechanism, with water passing through several layers of sand with varying grain sizes as it goes through the pipeline. The automated system will also capture invasive organisms, like zebra mussels, to prevent them from entering the Prairie River.

In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature approved $8.875 million to construct this outlet.

The DNR says they do not plan to open public access at the Canisteo Pit. Anyone looking to explore nearby areas need permission from landowners.

While construction continues, residents of Bovey, Coleraine, and Taconite may notice workers using public roads to access the construction site.