Officials are warning that the Rapidan Dam in Minnesota is on the brink of imminent failure.
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| The Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office reported that the river has eroded around the edges of the dam, causing debris to accumulate in the water. |
The Rapidan Dam in Minnesota is in a critical state following recent flooding of the Blue Earth River, leading officials to issue a warning on Monday that the structure is at risk of imminent failure.
According to the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office, the river has eroded around the dam's edges, causing debris to accumulate in the water. They declared the dam to be in an "imminent failure condition" and notified potentially affected parties.
"We are uncertain whether the dam will completely fail or hold its position, but we deemed it necessary to issue this notification to inform downstream residents and relevant authorities," stated the sheriff's office.
Located just outside Mankato, approximately 85 miles southwest of Minneapolis, the dam experienced a "partial failure" by Monday afternoon, specifically on its west abutment.
"The dam remains intact and there are currently no plans for a large-scale evacuation," assured the sheriff's office via Facebook. "A section of the river's flow has diverted around the western side of the dam, continuing downstream."
In addition, an Xcel Energy substation near the dam, which provides power to around 600 customers, was swept away early Monday. The utility company reported its crews were actively working to replace the destroyed substation and restore electricity.
"The river was already swollen from recent heavy rainfall and flowing swiftly when it diverted around the dam near the substation and overflowed onto the bank," stated Xcel Energy in a release.
During a Monday morning news conference, Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz highlighted that the state had received approximately 18 inches of rain in recent weeks, saturating the ground and leaving little capacity for water absorption. He also noted the potential for more rainfall in the forecast.
"In light of this, the resources being deployed are strategically positioned," Waltz remarked. "Our primary focus remains ensuring people's safety, protecting property, and safeguarding public infrastructure."
Governor Waltz noted that flooding has affected approximately 40 counties so far, prompting some to declare a state of emergency. He indicated readiness to seek a presidential disaster declaration if damage assessments meet the criteria for federal assistance.
The Rapidan Dam, constructed in 1910 for energy generation, is under county management and has suffered significant damage from recurring floods over its century-long history, according to the county's website.
A 2021 evaluation determined that the dam requires either repair or replacement, both options carrying substantial costs. However, the county emphasizes on its website that taking no action "poses a public safety risk and considerable liability."
Repairing the dam would entail a four-year timeline, including three years for planning and design. Conversely, constructing a new dam would span a decade, encompassing removal and river restoration efforts, as per the county's information.
The county is currently soliciting input from the community to guide its decision-making process.
Last year, Blue Earth County initiated steps to relinquish its licensure exemption from the federal Energy Regulatory Commission due to the dam's impaired ability to generate hydroelectric power. Approval would transfer regulatory oversight to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
"At present, there are no proposed structural modifications to the dam," stated the county in an informational release. "Surrendering the exemption simply means the FERC would no longer have regulatory jurisdiction over the dam."
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