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.

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

River Guardians' top questions, concerns about the future of the locks and dams

update

January 10, 2023

River Guardians submitted more than 170 comments about the future of the locks and dams. Here are the most frequent questions and topics. Read more

A kayaker paddles away from Lock and Dam 1 on a sunny June day in 2022.

5 key issues regarding the future of the locks and dams

update

January 9, 2023

Here are the big questions and concerns we asked the Army Corps to consider as it weighs the future of the locks and dams. Read more

A collection of kayakers, seen from far above, approaches Lock and Dam 1 on the Mississippi River during a June event.

The scoping comment period for two Twin Cities locks and dams is over. Now what?

update

January 6, 2023

Maybe you took a lock and dam tour with us this summer and weighed in on the future of two Minneapolis locks and dams this fall. What's next in the process? Read more

River Guardians' impacts in 2022

update

December 8, 2022

In 2022, 1,225 River Guardians sent 2,974 letters to 166 decision-makers, significantly impacting our work towards a healthier, more resilient river community. Read more

The cutoff wall: St. Anthony Falls' hidden hazard

update

December 8, 2022

The nearly 150-year old cutoff wall underneath St. Anthony Falls is a critical piece of infrastructure. But you wouldn't know it by how the wall is inspected and maintained. Read more

Water flows over the St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam on a sunny day.

What would an undammed metro Mississippi River look like?

update

November 20, 2022

How would the removal of Lower St. Anthony Falls and Lock & Dam No. 1 change the river? Compare renderings of the metro Mississippi after dam removal with present-day photos. Read more