MANKATO — U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith announced a $5 million federal grant to help southern Minnesota recover from the devastating 2024 flooding that severely damaged infrastructure across 42 counties and led to the partial failure of the historic Rapidan Dam in Blue Earth County.
The funding, secured through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, will go toward assessing and repairing flood-damaged roads and bridges, including County Road 9, where the bridge near the Rapidan Dam has been deemed unsafe for travel and is being replaced.
Noting the heavy toll that flooding in summer of 2024 took on southern Minnesota, Klobuchar stated in a news release that the grant will help recovery efforts. “This funding will allow us to repair and rebuild our roads and infrastructure, making them safer and more resilient — a critical step for our businesses and our communities to fully recover.”
In January, the Blue Earth County Board selected Barr Engineering to lead the $1.47 million planning and design of the Rapidan Dam’s removal, with demolition scheduled to begin in mid-2027 and conclude by the end of 2028.
Originally built in 1910, the dam suffered critical structural damage after a storm last June when surging waters overwhelmed the Blue Earth River. The dam had entered what officials called an “imminent failure condition.” Though a total collapse was narrowly avoided, parts of the dam’s western embankment washed away, altering the river’s course and threatening nearby infrastructure.
“Minnesotans deserve to drive on safe, reliable roads,” Smith stated in the release. “As a result of the flooding last summer, that’s not the reality for some residents. I’m fighting to secure the funding needed from the federal government to help us recover and make travel safe and accessible.”
With the new funding, local and state officials can now move forward with restoring road access and planning long-term repairs to ensure public safety and environmental stability.
Ryan Thilges, Blue Earth County engineer and public works director, told The Free Press the county had first learned about the grant through a press release issued Thursday. He said the funding will support bridge replacement and preliminary engineering efforts.
He said the project involves collaborating with a web of federal and state agencies — including the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Army Corps of Engineers and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — to address infrastructure challenges near the Rapidan Dam. He said the grant will help the county address the critical need for repair.
“There’s a tremendous amount of challenges we’re facing,” Thilges said. “And we’re very grateful for any financial or other assistance that we can get from our state and federal legislators.”
In 2024, emergency responders and engineers worked quickly to reinforce key areas and monitor floodwalls in Mankato, which successfully held back floodwaters. However, the damage to the dam and surrounding area was severe. Sediment flow increased downstream, habitats were disrupted and access to the popular Rapidan Dam Park was cut off.
“This grant is a critical step,” Klobuchar said, “but we know the work is just beginning.”