Blanchard Dam is a dam across the

Mississippi River The Mississippi River is the second-longest river and chief river of the second-largest drainage system in North America, second only to the Hudson Bay drainage system. From its traditional source of Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota, it fl ...

, in Bellevue Township and Swan River Township,

Morrison County Morrison County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,010. Its county seat is Little Falls. Camp Ripley Military Reservation occupies a significant area in north-central Morrison County. His ...

, near the city of

Royalton, Minnesota Royalton is a city in Morrison and Benton counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota, along the Platte River. The population was 1,281 at the 2020 census. The city is located mainly within Morrison County. The Benton County portion of Royalton ...

. Blanchard is a hydroelectric station owned and operated by Minnesota Power. The dam sits slightly upriver from the former Soo Line rail bridge. The bridge now carries a recreational trail. Blanchard Dam is the tallest dam on the Mississippi River at 47 feet of water head. Because of its design, it provides the most accurate water flow statistics of the Mississippi in central Minnesota. Daily, monthly and yearly statistical data in cf/s (cubic feet per second) since 1924 are available at the

United States Geological Survey The United States Geological Survey (USGS), formerly simply known as the Geological Survey, is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, ...

website. Blanchard Dam is also one of very few known places on earth where Staurolite is found. Here, the mineral Staurolite sometimes forms cross rocks or “fairy stones”. Blanchard Dam also has Camping and Fishing sites located within 200 yards of the dam. The Soo Line recreational trail crosses the river on a bridge located about 75 yards from the dam. The bridge is suspended about 100ft above the Mississippi River. The original bridge remains and not been rebuilt since its use by the Soo Line Railroad.

References

Dams in Minnesota United States power company dams Dams on the Mississippi River Buildings and structures in Morrison County, Minnesota Dams completed in 1925 {{US-dam-stub