MENOMONIE, Wis. – With new urgency after the Rapidan Dam disaster near Mankato, Xcel Energy is proceeding with a $1.5 million upgrade its Red Cedar River dam in Menomonie. The project will stabilize soil erosion on the bank, said Tony Witkowski, Xcel’s project manager. Concrete bags that have slowed the erosion for 50 years will be reloaded. Witkowski said the goal is to make the dam safer in a flood. Construction began this week. Completion target: October.
Red Cedar dam. Built 1958. In midtown Menomonie. Backs up Menomin Lake, which 1,000 acres and 22 feet deep. Produces hydroelectric\c power.