Rapidan Dam in Minnesota is in 'imminent failure condition,' officials warn
The Rapidan Dam in Minnesota is in a precarious state after recent flooding of the Blue Earth River, prompting officials to warn Monday that it is in "imminent failure condition."
The Rapidan Dam in Minnesota is in a precarious state after recent flooding of the Blue Earth River, prompting officials to warn Monday that it is in "imminent failure condition."
The Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office said that the river has cut around the sides of the dam and that debris has been accumulating in the water. It announced the "imminent failure condition" status and notified those who may be affected.
"We do not know if it will totally fail or if it will remain in place, however we determined it was necessary to issue this notification to advise downstream residents and the correct regulatory agencies and other local agencies," the sheriff's office said on Facebook.
The dam is outside the city of Mankato, about 85 miles southwest of Minneapolis.
By Monday afternoon, the sheriff's office reported a "partial failure" of the dam on the west abutment.
Rating: 5