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A feature article from APWA-MN Platinum Sponsor Houston Engineering

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, known as the world’s largest pelican statue, making it a beloved landmark for residents and a popular stop for visitors.

The Project

From 2016-2023, 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. In the end, the project demanded unique and innovative alternatives through all phases.

Due to the instability of the existing dam embankment, piezometers were installed early in the project to monitor water and pressure levels and assess the stability of the high hazard dam. The dam had low-level drawdown conduits with known piping and scour problems. HEI closely monitored these flow paths through multiple onsite inspections, including drawing down the dam reservoir to safely access and inspect the infrastructure and associated scour.

The project required extensive surveys of the existing dam infrastructure, adjacent topography, and subsurface conditions within the upstream and downstream channels, stilling basin, and reservoir. A combination of state-of-the-art drone-based LiDAR, and bathymetric survey equipment was used to develop an accurate model of existing conditions for the design.

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. 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. 

The Benefits
This project is part of a coordinated effort to reconnect the entire Pelican River system. Previous projects within the watershed have helped to reconnect several miles of river within the watershed. The Pelican Rapids project eliminated a total barrier to fish passage between the upper and lower portions of the Pelican River. The benefits of this 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. 

Additionally, the project eliminated a significant high hazard dam located upstream of Highway 59 and the heart of downtown Pelican Rapids while providing significant recreational and ecological benefits. Failure of the dam could have caused significant downstream erosion and flood damage. Those risks have been eliminated by the project.

The removal of the dam and the improvements to the river's health supported recreational activities such as fishing and kayaking, boosting local tourism and the economy. Additionally, the careful relocation and restoration of the beloved Pelican Pete monument ensured its continued enjoyment by the community and visitors. Since the project’s completion in 2024, the rock rapids, Pelican Pete, and pedestrian bridge have become central hubs and landmark features for Pelican Rapids and the nearby lake communities.

This project won the ACEC’s National Recognition Award and Minnesota Grand Award in the Water Resources Category during the 2025 award season for its unique design solutions and benefits to the surrounding community.

Learn more about this project on HEI’s website.