Blue Earth County Officials Weigh Future Of Rapidan Dam After Devastating Flooding Led To Partial Failure, Compromised Nearby Bridge

By Caroline Cummings, CBS Minnesota

August 1, 2024

MANKATO, Minn. — Should it stay or should it go?

Blue Earth County officials are discussing the future of the Rapidan Dam after devastating flooding last month led to its partial failure and impacted a nearby bridge, which is closed indefinitely due to safety concerns. That may mean removing the 114-year-old structure, which once powered electricity in the area, altogether.

Ryan Thilges, public works director, said the county could choose to remove the dam, leave it in place as is, repair it or replace it. The latter two options would be challenging because repairing the dam could reignite the same problems — it was determined to be in disrepair before the recent flooding occurred — and the Department of Natural Resources is unlikely to grant the permit to replace it, he explained.

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