ANOKA, Minn. (FOX 9) – If you’ve ever wanted to surf on the Rum River in Anoka, your time might be coming soon. Dig deeper: The project The Source: The Star Tribune was the first to report that the city of Anoka is considering adding surfing to the Rum River Dam. City officials in Rochester […]
ANOKA, Minn. (FOX 9) – If you’ve ever wanted to surf on the Rum River in Anoka, your time might be coming soon. Dig deeper:
The project
The Source: The Star Tribune was the first to report that the city of Anoka is considering adding surfing to the Rum River Dam. City officials in Rochester are also mulling giving the Silver Lake Dam a facelift to add wave pools for kayaking and canoeing. What we know:
Just the start of surfing?
City officials are seeking money to give the dam a facelift, which includes creating a pedestrian bridge and adding a lock for boat travel from the Rum River to the Mississippi River. Why you should care: Part of the project would include turning the Rum River Dam into a whitewater park, allowing for surfing waves in one area while others in kayaks, paddleboards and tubes float on the current.
Anoka social district ending its second season
The Anoka social district, which allows people to openly drink alcohol while walking around shopping and enjoying entertainment, will close this Sunday after a second successful season.
Another summer attraction
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Anoka could be the first city to have a human-made, dam-controlled whitewater park. There are similar attractions in Boise, Idaho and Cedar Falls, Iowa. The City of Austin is considering adding kayaking and paddleboarding on the Cedar River. City officials are mulling a million project to upgrade the Rum River Dam, near where it comes together with the Mississippi River. One of the many attractions being considered? Surfing. In August 2023, they added a “social district,” where people can walk around with drinks outside of bars and restaurants.
