Anoka could add surfing to Rum River Dam under proposed $55 million project

ANOKA, Minn. (FOX 9) - If you’ve ever wanted to surf on the Rum River in Anoka, your time might be coming soon.

The City of Anoka is requesting up to $51 million from the Minnesota Legislature in its efforts to do a large-scale revitalization of the Rum River Dam, near where it comes together with the Mississippi River. Included in the project are projects to increase dam safety, automated crest gates, and updated trailway/bridge for pedestrians, a lock passage system for boat traffic, recreational/whitewater features and a fish passage.

One of the many attractions being considered? Surfing.

Surfing on the Rum River?

What we know:

According to the project plan, one of the amenities included in the project is river surfing for whitewater enthusiasts. City officials who put together the plan say river surfing is a new sport growing in popularity in the U.S. It provides an inland option for surfers and paddlers to ride a standing wave created by underlying rock formations and the river flow rate.

Waves can occur naturally, and can be engineered. The best waves are caused by a high volume of water flowing over rock formations to create a single wave. Surfing on the Rum River would put the city on the map for having a unique water experience, offering the first river surfing spot in the Midwest and east of the Mississippi River.

City officials say the cost to add river surfing is about $4 million of the project. A new pedestrian bridge that would go over the feature is estimated to be $7-$10 million. 

A new fish passage?

Why you should care:

City officials say a new passage would allow fish to swim along and leap several low steps, allowing access to the water on either side of the Rum River Dam. It could also allow for the effective fish restocking of the Rum River. Officials say eventually, those fish would return to the Mississippi River and bolster the fishery on the big river.

An integrated gate system and pump would adjust the flow of water and allow for the passage to be closed for maintenance, seasonal flooding and to control aquatic invasive species.

How much will it cost?

Dig deeper:

Based on the findings of a feasibility study done by the city, the total project is estimated to cost as much as $55.4 million. Back in December, city officials submitted a $5.6 million request to the Minnesota Legislature related to engineering and final design development for all elements of the project.

The city secured $500,000 in 2023 to do the feasibility study for the project. If they can secure funding, construction on the project would start in 2028 and would be completed by 2030.