Floods Expose Dam’s Vulnerabilities and Broader Risks

Summary:
Recent severe flooding in southern Minnesota has brought the century-old Rapidan Dam to the brink of failure, highlighting the vulnerabilities of aging infrastructure amid extreme weather. The floods were among the worst in the region’s history, exacerbated by saturated soil from previous wet weather and unprecedented rainfall. The dam’s structural weaknesses, exposed in previous floods, led to significant damage, including the destruction of a utility substation and a home. Though downstream areas like Mankato were spared from the worst-case scenario, the incident underscores the broader risks posed by climate change, such as the overflow of livestock manure, invasive species migration, and the exacerbation of algae blooms. Experts stress the need for better preparation for extreme weather events, as aging dams across the country face similar threats. The cascading effects of such crises impact public health, housing, and the economy, emphasizing the urgency for infrastructural resilience in the face of intensifying climate conditions.