Slope Failure Along the East Bank of the Mississippi River; Trail and Parkway Temporarily Closed

Via a July 17 e-announcement from Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

View of slope failure from across the Mississippi River

At approximately 9:30 am this morning, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) staff were notified by the University of Minnesota of a slope failure along the Mississippi riverbank next to East River Parkway, which runs along the upper bluff above the slope.The slope failure occurred between Washington Avenue and Arlington Street. Soil and debris sloughed off the upper bank and slid down the slope towards the river. At this time there has been no report of personal injuries or damage to the parkway, vehicles or nearby buildings.

Safety is the MPRB’s primary concern.The trail, which also runs along the upper bluff and is directly adjacent to the slope failure area, sustained damage and was closed off this morning. MPRB staff and an MPRB geotechnical consultant are on site to conduct an initial safety assessment and have temporarily closed the parkway while investigation takes place.

Although recent heavy rainfall is presumed to have had a role in the slope failure, a full and thorough assessment needs to be conducted.

Google Maps image of E. River Pkwy, north of Washington Ave. University of Minnesota is on right