Rapidan Dam

Rapidan Dam
Blue Earth River below Rapidan Dam
Location of Rapidan Dam in Minnesota
Country	United States
Location	Blue Earth County, Minnesota
Coordinates	44.092727°N 94.108662°W / 44.092727; -94.108662
Purpose	Power
Status	Operational
Construction began	1908 (1908)
Opening date	1910 (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)

The Rapidan Dam is a concrete gravity dam located on the Blue Earth River in Rapidan Township, near Rapidan, Minnesota in the United States. The dam was constructed for Hydroelectric Power Generation from 1908 to 1910. The dam and reservoir are owned by Blue Earth County, and the power plant and dam are operated by North American Hydro under an agreement with the county. The dam is located just southwest of Mankato, Minnesota.

Blue Earth County operates the Rapidan Dam Park & Campground on the west embankment of the dam for camping, hiking, river access, and recreational activities.

People viewing construction site of Blue Earth Dam, Rapidan Township, Minnesota

See also

• List of dams and reservoirs in Minnesota

External links

• Eagle Creek Renewable Energy - Rapidan Dam
• Rapidan Dam - Blue Earth County, Minnesota
• Rapidan Dam Park and Campground - Blue Earth County, Minnesota