Tim Walz looks out at the overflowing Rapidan Dam outside Mankato on June 25. Walz toured flooded areas in a Minnesota National Guard helicopter, flying over Henderson, LeSeuer, Mankato and Waterville.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz highlighted a new bonding proposal in Mankato on Thursday, using the Rapidan Dam as a backdrop for his proposed infrastructure package.

In his first public visit to Mankato after his run for vice president, Gov. Tim Walz braved the afternoon cold on Thursday to return to Rapidan Dam and outline his 2025 bonding proposals. His $887 million pitch includes $10 million for dam recovery efforts after last summer’s catastrophic flooding that resulted in the Blue Earth River carving a route around the debris-clogged dam.

The battered Rapidan Dam at his back, Gov. Tim Walz proposed a bonding bill of $887 million on Thursday. The governor’s proposal includes funding for a new State Patrol headquarters and $10 million marked for recovery efforts at the dam,