Nicollet County plans to close on the purchase of Minnemishinona Falls today, making the once-private 42-foot waterfall and three surrounding acres public property.

Plans for the site about three miles west of North Mankato call for a scenic overlook. But it will not open until the completion of an archaeological study, slated to begin next week.

Just over one year ago, a non-profit conservation group purchased the property for $330,000 from landowners Gary and Maureen Warmington. The Trust for Public Land held the property with the understanding that Nicollet County would eventually take possession.

Bob McGillivray, project manager for the trust, said making the falls public is a unique opportunity.

“It’s certainly the only waterfall I’ve ever purchased,” McGillivray said.

The county, working with the trust, managed to cobble together three grants that covered the entire purchase price.

A $264,000 federal transportation grant covered 80 percent of the cost. Rochester-based Carl and Verna Schmidt Foundation contributed $50,000, and the Department of Natural Resources came through with the final $16,000.

The Xcel Energy Foundation also awarded the trust a grant to complete the project.

Nicollet County made $19,250 in lease payments on the property while it was held by the trust, the county auditor-treasurer office reported.

“I’m happy to have it closed,” said Mike Wagner, county public works director.

Wagner noted there was significant concern about the cost of the site. In the end, Nicollet County paid only a small portion of the total purchase price for a site people will enjoy for years to come, he said.

“This will be a very long-term enjoyed site,” he said.