Twin Cities locks and dams

Over the coming years, Twin Citians will face a momentous decision: Should we remove dams on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis and St. Paul?

FMR staff and River Guardians are actively engaged in this issue and others surrounding the locks and dams in the metro area. Updates are below.

Twin Cities locks and dams
What's going on with Twin Cities locks and dams?

update

January 10, 2022
Learn why we support keeping one lock, but look forward to exploring the potential removal of two local locks and dams, and sign up to receive updates. Read more
Dam photo
Who owns the St. Anthony Falls cutoff wall? It's still being debated

update

August 13, 2025
The cutoff wall, a vital component of the infrastructure around St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis, has drawn attention in recent years due to questions about its ownership and maintenance. A study is underway, but it won't resolve everything. Read more
Water flows over Owamniyomni, also known as St. Anthony Falls
The latest on the Twin Cities' lock and dam studies

update

November 18, 2024
The Army Corps of Engineers' study about the future of two Mississippi River locks and dams continues to move ahead — slowly. FMR and our partners are still busy with research, engagement and advocacy to bring the right information to the table. Read more
People look out at Ford Dam
Q & A: What the Rapidan Dam has us thinking about aging locks and dams in the Twin Cities

update

July 10, 2024
Land Use & Planning Program Director Colleen O'Connor Toberman talks about parallels between the Rapidan Dam and the locks and dams on the Mississippi River in the heart of the Twin Cities. Read more
Rapidan Dam breach from June 30, 2024
How we're filling in research gaps for the lock and dam study

update

November 13, 2023
FMR and our partners are bringing together researchers to dig into crucial questions that the official Army Corps lock and dam disposition study won't be able to answer. Here's what we're focusing on and why. Read more
Four people talk on a boat on the river
Army Corps study on the future of two metro locks and dams enters new phase

update

July 17, 2023
What will the Corps focus on in their years-long study about the future of two metro locks and dams? The release of the Corps scoping documents gives us a picture of what questions they'll investigate — and what could go unanswered. Read more
Lower St. Anthony Falls lock and dam and Ford dam
Lawmakers approve $1M to shed light on St. Anthony Falls’ hidden hazard, the cutoff wall

update

May 23, 2023
We'll soon know a lot more about one of the state's most crucial, but overlooked, pieces of infrastructure: the hidden cutoff wall underneath St. Anthony Falls. Read more
St. Anthony Falls during spring high waters

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