Current:Home > Contact-usVideo shows iconic home on Rapidan Dam partially collapsing into Blue Earth River in southern Minnesota-LoTradeCoin
Video shows iconic home on Rapidan Dam partially collapsing into Blue Earth River in southern Minnesota
View Date:2024-12-23 21:51:47
RAPIDAN TOWNSHIP, Minn. — The raging Blue Earth River, which caused an abutment of the 114-year-old Rapidan Dam to partially fail, has now swallowed most of the iconic home that sits on a nearby embankment amid Minnesota's historic flooding.
Blue Earth County officials say the collapse occurred on Tuesday evening and they continue to monitor for possible impacts downstream. Officials will give an update on the situation Wednesday at 10 a.m.
The dam is located about 14 miles south of Mankato, just north of the County Road 9 Bridge.
WCCO spoke on Monday with Jenny Barnes, whose family has owned the home and nearby Rapidan Dam Store for more than 50 years. As she was baking pies to sell that morning, she heard the river take out a nearby Xcel Energy substation.
"It's very close to the house. We had to evacuate this morning, get as much as we could out. All the freezers and such," Barnes said. "It's my childhood. I grew up in the house, I grew up in the dam store. I've been there all my life."
Rapid erosion soon carved the ground below the home, leaving its east side hanging over a cliff.
"For some people, this is a historic monument. For us, it's a life-altering event," said resident Shannon Whittet.
John Lippmann, who grew up in Mankato, says he cherishes his childhood memories of the store.
"We grew up going there and getting pie. I mean, do a route, get a Pepsi, get a little ice cream, and used to go play in the river down there," Lippmann said.
The dam remains in "imminent failure condition," according to county officials, but the threat of a breach has diminished. On Tuesday, Sheriff Jeff Wersal said the water level in a "catastrophic event would not be that significant."
If there is a full collapse of the dam, county leaders say the river could rise another 2 feet or so. There is a levee system protecting the city and officials are confident it will hold up.
The Blue Earth County Historical Society says the dam opened in 1910, doubling Mankato's electric power capacity.
The National Inventory of Dams rated the dam in poor condition as of April 2023, classifying its hazard potential as "significant."
The Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are still assessing the damage.
- In:
- Mankato News
- Flooding
Stephen Swanson is a web producer at CBS Minnesota. A 21-year station veteran, Stephen was a floor director for a decade before moving to the newsroom, where he focuses on general assignment reporting.
veryGood! (4757)
Related
- ‘Heretic’ and Hugh Grant debut with $11 million, but ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ tops box office again
- Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott spotted in walking boot ahead of training camp
- Does Dad of 4 Boys Michael Phelps Want to Try for a Baby Girl? He Says…
- World Aquatics executive subpoenaed by US government in probe of Chinese doping scandal
- Duke basketball vs Kentucky live updates: Highlights, scores, updates from Champions Classic
- New Dutch leader pledges to cut immigration as the opposition vows to root out racists in cabinet
- Martha Stewart posted photos of her beige living room, and commenters took it personally
- Messi, Argentina to face Canada again: What to know about Copa America semifinal
- Kate Hudson and Goldie Hawn’s SKIMS Holiday Pajamas Are Selling Out Fast—Here’s What’s Still Available
- 1 killed, 10 injured as speedboat crashes into jetty in California
Ranking
- Mark Zuckerberg Records NSFW Song Get Low for Priscilla Chan on Anniversary
- Vanessa Hudgens gives birth to first baby with husband Cole Tucker: 'Happy and healthy'
- Fireworks can scare dogs. Vets explain why and how to calm your pet's anxiety.
- Hurricane Beryl takes aim at the Mexican resort of Tulum as a Category 3 storm
- Walmart Planned to Remove Oven Before 19-Year-Old Employee's Death
- New panel charged with helping Massachusetts meet its renewable energy goals
- One dies after explosion at Arkansas defense weapons plant
- New UK prime minister Keir Starmer vows to heal wounds of distrust after Labour landslide
Recommendation
-
DWTS’ Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten Have the Best Reaction to Fans Hoping for a Romance
-
July Fourth violence nationwide kills at least 26, Chicago ‘in state of grief,’ mayor says
-
Hurricane Beryl takes aim at the Mexican resort of Tulum as a Category 3 storm
-
Alabama state Sen. Garlan Gudger injured in jet ski accident, airlifted to hospital
-
When does 'Dune: Prophecy' come out? Release date, cast, where to watch prequel series
-
Dehydrated coyote pup dies after it was rescued by California firefighters
-
Martha Stewart posted photos of her beige living room, and commenters took it personally
-
Next up for Eddie Murphy? Possibly another 'Beverly Hills Cop' movie or perhaps Broadway