Rapidan Dam suffers ‘partial failure’ but no evacuation ordered

Officials from the Army Corps of Engineers are in Blue Earth County assessing the situation at the Rapidan Dam breach southwest of Mankato. Corps spokesman Patrick Moes says they are providing technical assistance to local authorities.

“We do have a lot of experience when it comes to dams and flooding. So, it’s just kind of second set of eyes to develop solutions to either reduce the immediate risk and maybe look at long-term solutions,” said Moes.

Authorities say a significant amount of debris is preventing the water from flowing freely through the dam and the river cut a path to the west side of it. Blue Earth County officials say the dam had experienced “partial failure” late Monday. But the sheriff’s office said the dam was still intact and there were no current plans for a mass evacuation.