Dakota County leaders and partners gathered Thursday, Oct. 3 to celebrate major upgrades to the Byllesby Dam. The improvements will double the amount of electricity generated at the dam along the Cannon River in southern Dakota County.
The project was possible thanks to state and federal support. The county used $26 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds for the improvements.
“This upgrade is extremely important, and the project and the modernization that have been done here allow this dam to produce clean power more efficiently and more reliably," U.S. Sen. Tina Smith said.
Dakota County owns and operates the dam, which was built in 1910, and has made improvements before. However, this $47 million project will double the dam's generating capacity. Construction included:
- Two new turbines and generators
- A new powerhouse for the generating equipment
- A control room for the county dam operators who are on-site daily
The upgraded dam will generate 4.4 megawatts of electricity. That is twice the amount needed to power the City of Cannon Falls.
Dakota County is establishing itself as an energy leader by improving the dam and making energy savings elsewhere.
“This is the first place in America — the first county in America — that will generate more electricity from renewable sources than all of our buildings and facilities use," Dakota County Board Chair Joe Atkins said.
State leaders approved $12 million for the project. The county used $9 million in non-levy funding, which will be repaid with energy sales revenue.
“We've expanded the contribution of renewable energy to the state of Minnesota, improved the condition of the 115-year-old dam and ensured continued safety and flood protection for thousands of residents downstream in and around Cannon Falls," Dakota County Commissioner Mike Slavik said.