Veronica PiscitelliIf the city of Anoka wins the approval and funding to upgrade and rebuild Rum River Dam, the proposed $55 million project would transform it into a whitewater attraction. The town could be the first to offer surfing at a human-made, dam-controlled whitewater park, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
The Rum River Dam, located less than a mile from the Rum River’s confluence with the Mississippi River, has been owned by Anoka since 1935. The dam that stands today was rebuilt in 1969. The city has been studying reconstructing the dam and in 2023 conducted a $500,000 feasibility study about the possibility of a watersports attraction.
The study, part of the state bonding bill, found the dam has strong enough water flow and a 12-foot drop for a whitewater feature and surfing wave. These characteristics would provide thrill-seekers with access to conditions they often have to travel miles to find.
Similar river surfing attractions are popping up across the Midwest and northern areas of the U.S. Boise, Idaho, and Cedar Falls, Iowa, are both home to river surfing facilities. Other locations in Minnesota are also joining in on the idea, as Austin could add whitewater kayaking and paddleboarding on the Cedar River and Rochester plans to modify the Silver Lake Dam to add wave pools for kayaking and canoeing. Lisa LaCasse, a public services administrator with the city of Anoka, says what makes Anoka a unique tourist attraction is that the river is attached to the city’s downtown.
The Rum River Dam project is seeking funding to update the older dam as well as improve its connectivity to the Mississippi. The plans include replacing the manual overflow spillway system with automated crest gates.
Additionally, it would add a navigational lock for smaller boats, pontoons and other water vehicles to travel from the upper pool of the Rum to the Mississippi River. This connection has not existed for decades, so water travelers must exit the river, carry their craft and relaunch. LaCasse said the new lock “opens miles of navigational river for people above and below the dam.”
Along with modernizing the dam, the project includes other features like a pedestrian and maintenance bridge that would loop around and connect both sides of the river and a fish passage with access to either side of the dam to support the spawning of native fish.
Most importantly, the reconstruction plans include turning the dam into a multi-purpose whitewater park where surfers could ride a standing wave and kayakers, paddleboarders and tubers can float down the channel. According to LaCasse, it is possible to build a channel where the water level would drop two or three feet at a time. City officials also see the attraction as a beneficial spot for emergency medical responders across the region for swift-water rescue training.
Anoka leaders hope the new dam will be an area for the entire community and provide an economic benefit for the surrounding area as it becomes a large downtown attraction. In its day-to-day, anglers can cast lines off the bridge overlooking the dam, while water sport enthusiasts dock behind City Hall and visit downtown bars and restaurants or enjoy live music and food trucks at Riverfront Memorial Park.
Additionally, the city will work to bring in crowds to the historic district through festivals, events and competitions. Anoka hopes visitors can take advantage of the state’s first social district, where they can buy drinks and walk around with them. Officials say the attraction will bring a boost to the economy as local businesses sell their goods and equipment.
The Rum River Dam project is still in the preliminary phase. City officials are studying options for renewable energy at the dam including solar panels and a river water system to heat and cool City Hall. More studies will be needed before further steps are taken for the project, as it will require approval from several agencies to continue. Anoka is seeking state funding and grants for the plans.
Photo by Jakob Scholz via Pexels
