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°05′35″N 94°06′32″W / 44.093°N 94.109°W / 44.093; -94.109
Purpose	Power
Status	Partially failed
Construction began	1908; 116 years ago (1908)
Opening date	1910; 114 years ago (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]