Rapidan Dam: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 09:26, 25 June 2024
| Rapidan Dam | |
|---|---|
 Blue Earth River below Rapidan Dam | |
  Location of Rapidan Dam in Minnesota | |
| Country | United States |
| Location | Blue Earth County, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 44°05′34″N 94°06′31″W / 44.092727°N 94.108662°W |
| Purpose | Power |
| Status | Imminent Failure Condition |
| Construction began | 1908 |
| Opening date | 1910 |
| Owner(s) | Blue Earth County Government |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Concrete Gravity |
| Impounds | Blue Earth River |
| Height | 87 ft (27 m) |
| Length | 475 ft (145 m) |
| Spillways | 5 steel Tainter gates and 2 timber gates |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Rapidan Lake |
| Catchment area | 2,430 sq mi (6,300 km2) |
| Surface area | 318 acres (129 ha) |
| Turbines | 2 [1] |
| Installed capacity | 6 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 1966. 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] Power was no longer 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
The dam was built in 1910. It generated power for the Northern States Power Company until it was damaged in 1965 by flooding.[4] In 1970, the dam was acquired by Blue Earth County, which has operated the facility since then.[5]
In 2002 it was discovered that the foundation of the dam needed emergency repairs which were carried out to stop the dam failing. This included filling concrete in a void between several buttresses and part of the base slab at the toe of the spillway. This cost $1,034,000.[6]
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.[7] In April to June 2022, the county collected community feedback regarding these options.[8]
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".[9] The river caused flooding and washed away an Xcel Energy substation which provides power to around 600 customers; it also destroyed a shed, and has nearly destroyed a home. A flash flood warning was enacted and residents were urged to evacuate.[10][11] Dam operators first alerted authorities at around 10:36 a.m. CDT.[12]
Predictions have been made about possible casualties and damage. [13] 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
External links
- Eagle Creek Renewable Energy - Rapidan Dam
- Rapidan Dam - Blue Earth County, Minnesota
- Rapidan Dam Park and Campground - Blue Earth County, Minnesota
References
- ^ a b c "Rapidan Dam | Blue Earth County, MN - Official Website".
- ^ a b "Exemption surrender process for the Rapidan Dam".
- ^ "Rapidan Dam Park & Campground".
- ^ U.S Army Corps of Engineers (2009). "Rapidan Dam Investigations Blue Earth River Feasibility Study Ecosystem Restoration" (PDF). p. 9. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
- ^ 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.
- ^ BARR (2021). "Rapidan Dam Repair Feasibility Study". pp. 5, 10–11. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
- ^ "2021-Rapidan-Dam-Repair-Feasibility-Study_Nov_2021_Final". blueearthcountymn.gov. barr.com. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ "Rapidan-Engagement-Summary-Report_Web". blueearthcountymn.gov. blueearthcountymn.gov. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Madani, Doha (June 24, 2024). "Rapidan Dam in Minnesota is in 'imminent failure condition,' officials warn". NBC news. NBC. NBC. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ Keegan, Mitch (2024-06-24). "BREAKING: Concerns over the integrity of the Rapidan Dam". KEYC-TV. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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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- Dams in Minnesota
- United States local public utility dams
- Buildings and structures in Blue Earth County, Minnesota
- Gravity dams
- Hydroelectric power plants in Minnesota
- Dams completed in 1910
- Energy infrastructure completed in 1910
- Rivers of Minnesota
- Bodies of water of Blue Earth County, Minnesota
- 1910 establishments in Minnesota
- Civil engineering stubs
- Minnesota geography stubs
- Disaster stubs