Extreme rainfall and flooding caused the partial failure of a dam on the Minnesota River in the Mankato area, following three days of intense rain. The area received 7 to 8 inches of rain, a rare event with a .5% to 2% chance of occurring each year in southern Minnesota. As extreme weather events become more frequent, aging infrastructure such as dams are being put under more strain. Bill McCormick, an expert in dam safety, highlighted the impact of intense storms on infrastructure across the nation and the challenges posed by housing development near dams. Hiba Baroud, a civil engineering professor, emphasized the need for proactive measures to assess and prioritize the rehabilitation and upgrading of dams to prevent future failures. The partial failure of the Rapidan dam and other incidents serve as a wake-up call for policymakers to take decisive action in strengthening dam infrastructure to avoid catastrophic events. With the increasing threat of extreme weather events due to climate change, it is crucial to invest in the maintenance and modernization of dams to ensure public safety and protect communities at risk from potential dam failures.
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