Rapidan Dam in Minnesota at Risk of Failing, Collapses House into River

Recent heavy rain in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, has led to the danger of the Rapidan Dam failing, causing concern for nearby residents. The dam partially failed after heavy rain over the weekend, causing water to erode the soil on the shoreline, leading to a nearby house collapsing into the river on Tuesday night.

House Collapses into River

Located on the banks of the Blue Earth River next to the dam, the house toppled over the edge of an eroded bluff at around 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday, as officials in Blue Earth County reported. Bystanders recorded a video from the opposite bank, showing a large section of the house breaking away and falling into the river. Shortly after, a massive tree also fell into the river. Fortunately, the home had already been evacuated at the time of the collapse.

Following the collapse, the Blue Earth County Public Works, emergency management, and sheriff’s office are actively monitoring for any downstream impacts. The dam, situated about 14 miles south of Mankato in Southern Minnesota, has experienced significant erosion due to the heavy rain.

Continued Erosion and Focus Shift

Overnight, there were "dramatic changes" as the channel of water escaping through the west side of the dam continued to "cut wider and deeper," eroding soil on the riverbank. This has led officials to shift their focus from the dam to a nearby bridge, as the speed of the flowing water continues to inhibit emergency mitigation strategies.

Emergency Measures and Concerns

Due to the recent erosion, the majority of the water flow is going around the west side of the dam, causing little to no flow through the gates. The continuous erosion has compelled officials to monitor the downstream impacts and shift the focus to safeguarding a nearby bridge. The situation remains of concern as the water levels continue to rise, putting residents on high alert.

The Rapidan Dam in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, is in peril of failing due to heavy rain, causing erosion and posing potential risks to nearby structures and residents. Officials are actively monitoring the situation and implementing measures to address the ongoing threat.