Video shows dam in Minnesota close to failure

The Rapidan Dam in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, is on the verge of failure, and residents in the area are on high alert as water levels continue to rise.

Blue Earth County Emergency Management officials said on Facebook that anyone in immediate danger from flooding had been notified of the situation.

“The dam is currently intact and there is no evacuation order in place for Blue Earth County residents,” officials said. “The situation is being closely monitored by BEC Public Works, Emergency Management and the Sheriff’s Office.”

FOX 9 in Minneapolis reported that BEC’s alert stated that it was not known whether the dam would fail completely or remain standing, but authorities decided the alert was necessary to inform residents downstream of the dam of the situation.

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According to local authorities, the Rapidan Dam in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, is at risk of failure. (Photo credit: Randy Hanson /TMX)

Mankato police and fire officials posted on Facebook Monday afternoon that the water level at the levee is 28 feet. The levee system is built to withstand a river capacity of up to 39.5 feet.

“According to Blue Earth County officials, if the Rapidan Dam were to be damaged, the river’s water level would rise by as much as 2 feet,” the post said. “The situation is evolving and the City of Mankato is confident the levee system will hold. There are currently no areas in the City of Mankato under evacuation orders.”

The post also noted that there was increased activity by Xcel Energy around Sibley Park, as 170 Xcel employees and about 400 pieces of equipment were deployed to protect a nearby substation.

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A building is washed away near the Rapidan Dam. (Photo credit: Randy Hanson /TMX)

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and state emergency management officials provided an update on the situation Monday morning.

“We continue to monitor the condition of the dam with local authorities,” said Kristi Rollwagen, director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. “We were notified of the situation around 4 a.m. this morning. We are also checking cell towers in the area and are working to get resources there to support cell service. Right now the dam is intact, but we will continue to monitor it and be aware of what is going on.”

Walz said the structural integrity of the dam has long been in question.

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To make matters worse, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the county that lasted until 4:30 p.m. Monday.

The station reported that all entrances and exits to Highway 169 at Lookout Drive in Mankato and North Mankato were closed as authorities build an earthen levee, or a temporary wall or ridge made of compacted earth, to divert stormwater to a desired location.