In recent days, a bridge near the Rapidan Dam in Minnesota is in imminent danger of crumbling into the Blue Earth River. The County Road 9 bridge, which is approximately 40 years old, faces the risk of toppling over if the inclement weather persists and structural reinforcements cannot be implemented.

Torrential rain and flooding have been relentlessly battering the Midwest, causing the water levels of the Blue Earth River to rise dramatically. This has put significant strain on the structural integrity of the Rapidan Dam, which has already experienced a partial failure. As a result, a house located near the dam fell into the river, and a nearby dam store was demolished. The dam is situated about 14 miles south of Mankato in Southern Minnesota.

Ryan Thilges, the public works director for Blue Earth County, expressed concerns about the stability of the bridge. He explained that the bridge's piers are resting on sediment and sandstone bedrock rather than being driven into the bedrock. The forceful flow of water has eroded some of the sediment, posing a risk to the bridge's stability.

Thilges emphasized that the river's rapid erosion has made it impossible to accurately measure the sediment levels in the river or at the pier. Currently, it is estimated that the bridge is approximately 50 percent exposed. As the river continues to lower and erode the riverbed, there is a growing fear of a partial or full collapse of the bridge. For public safety reasons, the bridge has been closed since the dam began to overtop.

Officials have taken emergency measures to reinforce the west pier of the County Road 9 bridge by using loose stones known as rip rap. These stones have been placed at the base of the pier to mitigate further erosion. The bridge will remain closed while authorities closely monitor its stability.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz visited the dam to assess the flood conditions and recovery efforts. He expressed his worries that the bridge may collapse and emphasized that it would be rebuilt if necessary. Governor Walz assured local residents that the financial burden of reconstruction would be shared by everyone rather than falling solely on the county commissioners.

Last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved a federal disaster declaration for 22 Minnesota counties affected by the flooding. Additionally, state funding provided by the Minnesota Legislature will be allocated to assist communities impacted by the flooding.

The Rapidan Dam, constructed in 1910 for electricity generation, has suffered repeated damage from flooding over the years. A recent assessment conducted by the National Inventory of Dams in April 2023 revealed that the dam is in poor condition. As a result, officials have been studying the possibility of removing it.

With the bridge's stability hanging in the balance, ongoing monitoring and emergency measures are crucial to ensure the safety of the surrounding communities. Meanwhile, authorities are bracing themselves to address the potential collapse of the bridge and the subsequent need for reconstruction.