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Coordinates: 44°05′34″N 94°06′31″W / 44.092727°N 94.108662°W / 44.092727; -94.108662
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Following flooding on the river due to heavy rain, on June 24, 2024, the [[Blue Earth River]] cut through the sides of the dam, and the dam was declared to be in an "imminent failure condition".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Krohn |first1=Tim |last2=Murray |first2=Robb |last3=Arola |first3=Brian |last4=Lagerquist |first4=Mike |url=https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/update-rapidan-dam-in-imminent-failure-condition-mankato-floodwalls-expected-to-handle-any-surge/article_411123d2-3235-11ef-bb62-6bf9d2baedaa.html |title=UPDATE: Rapidan Dam in 'imminent failure condition'; Mankato floodwalls expected to handle any surge |work=[[Mankato Free Press]] (mankatofreepress.com) |date=June 24, 2024 |access-date=June 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624213644/https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/update-rapidan-dam-in-imminent-failure-condition-mankato-floodwalls-expected-to-handle-any-surge/article_411123d2-3235-11ef-bb62-6bf9d2baedaa.html |archive-date=June 24, 2024}}</ref> The river caused flooding and washed away an [[Xcel Energy]] substation which provides power to around 600 customers; it also destroyed a store and building. A flash flood warning was enacted and residents were urged to evacuate.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Madani |first1=Doha |title=Rapidan Dam in Minnesota is in 'imminent failure condition,' officials warn |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/rapidan-dam-minnesota-imminent-failure-condition-officials-warn-rcna158645 |access-date=24 June 2024 |work=NBC news |agency=NBC |publisher=NBC |date=June 24, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Keegan |first=Mitch |date=2024-06-24 |title=BREAKING: Concerns over the integrity of the Rapidan Dam |url=https://www.keyc.com/2024/06/24/breaking-concerns-over-integrity-rapidan-dam/ |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=KEYC-TV |language=en}}</ref> Dam operators first alerted authorities at around 10:36 a.m. CDT.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swanson |first=Stephen |last2= |first2= |date=2024-06-24 |title=Rapidan Dam breached by flood waters in southern Minnesota; nearby residents warned to potentially evacuate - CBS Minnesota |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/rapidan-dam-fails-evacuation-blue-earth-county/ |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref>
Following flooding on the river due to heavy rain, on June 24, 2024, the [[Blue Earth River]] cut through the sides of the dam, and the dam was declared to be in an "imminent failure condition".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Krohn |first1=Tim |last2=Murray |first2=Robb |last3=Arola |first3=Brian |last4=Lagerquist |first4=Mike |url=https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/update-rapidan-dam-in-imminent-failure-condition-mankato-floodwalls-expected-to-handle-any-surge/article_411123d2-3235-11ef-bb62-6bf9d2baedaa.html |title=UPDATE: Rapidan Dam in 'imminent failure condition'; Mankato floodwalls expected to handle any surge |work=[[Mankato Free Press]] (mankatofreepress.com) |date=June 24, 2024 |access-date=June 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624213644/https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/update-rapidan-dam-in-imminent-failure-condition-mankato-floodwalls-expected-to-handle-any-surge/article_411123d2-3235-11ef-bb62-6bf9d2baedaa.html |archive-date=June 24, 2024}}</ref> The river caused flooding and washed away an [[Xcel Energy]] substation which provides power to around 600 customers; it also destroyed a store and building. A flash flood warning was enacted and residents were urged to evacuate.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Madani |first1=Doha |title=Rapidan Dam in Minnesota is in 'imminent failure condition,' officials warn |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/rapidan-dam-minnesota-imminent-failure-condition-officials-warn-rcna158645 |access-date=24 June 2024 |work=NBC news |agency=NBC |publisher=NBC |date=June 24, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Keegan |first=Mitch |date=2024-06-24 |title=BREAKING: Concerns over the integrity of the Rapidan Dam |url=https://www.keyc.com/2024/06/24/breaking-concerns-over-integrity-rapidan-dam/ |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=KEYC-TV |language=en}}</ref> Dam operators first alerted authorities at around 10:36 a.m. CDT.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swanson |first=Stephen |last2= |first2= |date=2024-06-24 |title=Rapidan Dam breached by flood waters in southern Minnesota; nearby residents warned to potentially evacuate - CBS Minnesota |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/rapidan-dam-fails-evacuation-blue-earth-county/ |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref>


Predictions have been made about possible casualties and damage. <ref>{{cite news |last1=Fischenich |first1=Mark |title=Ask Us: Rapidan Dam collapse wouldn't bring a wall of water to Mankato |url=https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/ask-us-rapidan-dam-collapse-wouldnt-bring-a-wall-of-water-to-mankato/article_a4469d12-e650-11eb-9fea-cf5b619441c4.html |access-date=2024-06-24 |work=Mankato Free Press |agency=The Free Press |publisher=The Free Press |date=Jul 18 2021}}</ref> They indicated that the campground would need to be evacuated, and then the only risk would be to people located on the river itself. The largest damage is predicted to be environmental, as a large amount of sediment has built up in the reservoir, and much of it would eventually wash down river.
Predictions have been made about possible casualties and damage. <ref>{{cite news |last1=Fischenich |first1=Mark |title=Ask Us: Rapidan Dam collapse wouldn't bring a wall of water to Mankato |url=https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/ask-us-rapidan-dam-collapse-wouldnt-bring-a-wall-of-water-to-mankato/article_a4469d12-e650-11eb-9fea-cf5b619441c4.html |access-date=2024-06-24 |work=Mankato Free Press |agency=The Free Press |publisher=The Free Press |date=2021-07-18}}</ref> They indicated that the campground would need to be evacuated, and then the only risk would be to people located on the river itself. The largest damage is predicted to be environmental, as a large amount of sediment has built up in the reservoir, and much of it would eventually wash down river.


== See also ==
== See also ==

Revision as of 21:48, 24 June 2024

Rapidan Dam
Blue Earth River below Rapidan Dam
Rapidan Dam is located in Minnesota
Rapidan Dam
Location of Rapidan Dam in Minnesota
CountryUnited States
LocationBlue Earth County, Minnesota
Coordinates44°05′34″N 94°06′31″W / 44.092727°N 94.108662°W / 44.092727; -94.108662
PurposePower
StatusImminent Failure Condition
Construction began1908; 116 years ago (1908)
Opening date1910; 114 years ago (1910)
Owner(s)Blue Earth County Government
Dam and spillways
Type of damConcrete Gravity
ImpoundsBlue Earth River
Height87 ft (27 m)
Length475 ft (145 m)
Spillways5 steel Tainter gates and 2 timber gates
Reservoir
CreatesRapidan Lake
Catchment area2,430 sq mi (6,300 km2)
Surface area318 acres (129 ha)
Turbines2 [1]
Installed capacity6 MW [1] (not currently operating) [2]

The Rapidan Dam is a concrete gravity dam located on the Blue Earth River in Rapidan Township, near Rapidan, Minnesota in the United States. The dam was constructed for hydroelectric power generation from 1908 to 1910. The dam and reservoir are owned by Blue Earth County, and the power plant and dam was operated by Eagle Creek Renewable Energy under an agreement with the county.[1] However, power is no longer being generated at the dam due to damage from flooding in 2019 and 2020[2]. The dam is located just southwest of Mankato, Minnesota.

Blue Earth County operates the Rapidan Dam Park & Campground on the west embankment of the dam for camping, hiking, river access, and recreational activities.[3]

History

People viewing construction site of Blue Earth Dam, Rapidan Township, Minnesota

The dam was built in 1910. In 1970, the dam was acquired by Blue Earth County, who has operated the facility since then.[4]

Proposed removal

In 2021, the county commissioned two studies to explore the options for addressing the dam’s state of disrepair — either dam repair or dam removal [5]. In April to June 2022, the county collected community feedback regarding these options. [6]

Dam failure

Following flooding on the river due to heavy rain, on June 24, 2024, the Blue Earth River cut through the sides of the dam, and the dam was declared to be in an "imminent failure condition".[7] The river caused flooding and washed away an Xcel Energy substation which provides power to around 600 customers; it also destroyed a store and building. A flash flood warning was enacted and residents were urged to evacuate.[8][9] Dam operators first alerted authorities at around 10:36 a.m. CDT.[10]

Predictions have been made about possible casualties and damage. [11] They indicated that the campground would need to be evacuated, and then the only risk would be to people located on the river itself. The largest damage is predicted to be environmental, as a large amount of sediment has built up in the reservoir, and much of it would eventually wash down river.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Rapidan Dam | Blue Earth County, MN - Official Website".
  2. ^ a b "Exemption surrender process for the Rapidan Dam".
  3. ^ "Rapidan Dam Park & Campground".
  4. ^ Moser, Riley (24 June 2024). "What is the history of the Rapidan Dam in southern Minnesota? - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. CBS Minnesota. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  5. ^ "2021-Rapidan-Dam-Repair-Feasibility-Study_Nov_2021_Final". https://www.blueearthcountymn.gov/. barr.com. Retrieved 24 June 2024. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  6. ^ "Rapidan-Engagement-Summary-Report_Web". blueearthcountymn.gov. blueearthcountymn.gov. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  7. ^ Krohn, Tim; Murray, Robb; Arola, Brian; Lagerquist, Mike (June 24, 2024). "UPDATE: Rapidan Dam in 'imminent failure condition'; Mankato floodwalls expected to handle any surge". Mankato Free Press (mankatofreepress.com). Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  8. ^ Madani, Doha (June 24, 2024). "Rapidan Dam in Minnesota is in 'imminent failure condition,' officials warn". NBC news. NBC. NBC. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  9. ^ Keegan, Mitch (2024-06-24). "BREAKING: Concerns over the integrity of the Rapidan Dam". KEYC-TV. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  10. ^ Swanson, Stephen (2024-06-24). "Rapidan Dam breached by flood waters in southern Minnesota; nearby residents warned to potentially evacuate - CBS Minnesota". CBS News. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  11. ^ Fischenich, Mark (2021-07-18). "Ask Us: Rapidan Dam collapse wouldn't bring a wall of water to Mankato". Mankato Free Press. The Free Press. The Free Press. Retrieved 2024-06-24.

Sources


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