| Rapidan Dam | |
|---|---|
 Blue Earth River below Rapidan Dam | |
  Location of Rapidan Dam in Minnesota | |
| Country | United States |
| Location | Blue Earth County, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 44°05′35″N 94°06′32″W / 44.093°N 94.109°W |
| Purpose | Power |
| Status | Partially failed |
| Construction began | 1908 |
| Opening date | 1910 |
| Owner(s) | Blue Earth County Government |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Concrete Gravity |
| Impounds | Blue Earth River |
| Height | 87 ft (27 m) |
| Length | 475 ft (145 m) |
| Spillways | 5 steel Tainter gates and 2 timber gates |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Rapidan Lake |
| Catchment area | 2,430 sq mi (6,300 km2) |
| Surface area | 318 acres (129 ha) |
| Turbines | 2[1] |
| Installed capacity | 6 MW[1] (not currently operating)[2] |
The Rapidan Dam is a concrete gravity dam located on the Blue Earth River in Rapidan Township southwest of Mankato, Minnesota in the United States. The dam was constructed from 1908 to 1910 to generate hydroelectric power. The dam and reservoir are owned by Blue Earth County, and the power plant and dam were operated by Eagle Creek Renewable Energy under an agreement with the county.[1] Power was no longer generated at the dam due to damage from flooding in 2019 and 2020.[2]
Blue Earth County operates the Rapidan Dam Park & Campground on the west embankment of the dam for camping, hiking, river access, and recreational activities.[3] The Rapidan Dam Cafe and Store, which operated on the west bank of the river until 2024, was known for their homemade pies.[4]
- ^ a b c "Rapidan Dam". Blue Earth County, MN - Official Website.
- ^ a b Exemption surrender process for the Rapidan Dam (Report). Blue Earth County. March 2023.
- ^ "Rapidan Dam Park & Campground".
- ^ Rathburn, Betsy (February 1, 2021). "A Secluded Restaurant In The Minnesota Countryside, Rapidan Dam Store Is One Of The Most Charming Places You'll Ever Eat". OnlyInYourState®. Retrieved June 29, 2024.