City of Pelican Rapids Dam Removal, River Restoration, and Pedestrian Bridge

Background:

Pelican Rapids is renowned for its scenic and historical dam, a structure that has been a cornerstone of the community since its construction in the 1880s. Originally built to power a sawmill, the dam was later converted to support a grain mill. In the early 1900s, a stone masonry wall was added, enhancing its historical significance. The dam is also home to Pelican Pete, the world’s largest pelican, making it a beloved landmark for residents and a popular stop for visitors.

The Project:

From 2016 to 2023, the City of Pelican Rapids, MN, worked closely with Houston Engineering, Inc. (HEI) to inspect the existing condition of the aging dam infrastructure and provide alternative rehabilitation solutions. The project aimed to remove the existing dam in downtown Pelican Rapids, restore the river, and preserve the landmark features of the site and pedestrian connectivity. HEI coordinated closely with the City’s partner, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) River Ecology and Dam Safety Units, on the design.

The project replaced an aging dam originally built in the 1880s that was in the heart of downtown Pelican Rapids. Multiple alternatives were considered, including repair, retrofit, and replacement options to improve the safety of the surrounding community. The dam was replaced with rock arch rapids to enhance safety, aquatic habitat, and recreation through the heart of downtown Pelican Rapids. Additionally, upstream sediment collected over the life of the dam was removed to restore the river to its historic condition. The removal of the dam and installation of rock arch rapids restored the river’s connectivity and recreated the historic river in the reservoir bed upstream of the dam.

A key element of the project was the safety and preservation of Pelican Pete, a monument known as the world’s largest pelican at more than 15 feet tall and nearly 70 years old. Due to his age and fragile condition, special care was taken when he was moved to safety during construction. Pelican Pete was restored and given a new home on a new foundation towards the end of the project.

The project also included the preservation of connectivity in downtown Pelican Rapids with nearby parks and trail systems by constructing a new 120-foot single-span steel truss pedestrian bridge over the rapids. Additionally, ADA-accessible sidewalks and shared-use paths were constructed to access the bridge and provide safe access to the shorelines and viewing areas to enjoy the new riverfront. HEI assisted the city in securing the necessary funding for this portion of the project.

The benefits of the project include the recovery and reconnection of more than 30 miles of riverine habitat for fish and native mussels, and the restoration of fish passage to complement other passages in the watershed. Since the project’s completion, the rock rapids, Pelican Pete, and pedestrian bridge have become central hubs and landmark features for Pelican Rapids and the nearby lake communities.

Watch videos about the Pelican Rapids Dam Replacement on our YouTube channel.

Winner of the Grand Award in the Water Resources Category, 2025.