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. Updates are below. We recommend learning more in this overview if you're new to this issue.

Dams

Thank you, River Guardians!

by Sophie Downey

December 11, 2019

Thank you, River Guardians! We deeply appreciate you advocating for clean water and sustainable and equitable development along the river this past year. >

Locks and dam meetings draw a crowd

by Irene Jones

September 14, 2019

The Army Corps of Engineers is currently considering options to repurpose or maintain the Upper St. Anthony lock. A second part of this same study, beginning next year, will look at removing Lower St. Anthony Falls and the Ford dam. Over 100 people went to the first public input meetings about this study, including us. Missed them? Learn what we learned and weigh in with written comments by October 20. >>

Public meetings scheduled for lock and dam disposition study

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

July 11, 2019

The Army Corps has scheduled public meetings for August 13 and 19 to discuss the upcoming disposition study for the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam. Should it continue to operate? Who should own it? >>

Corps study to determine local locks and dams' fate, but questions abound

by Irene Jones

August 15, 2018

There was no shortage of good questions at a recent meeting Army Corps of Engineers' lock and dam disposition study. However, some of the answers left attendees asking for a more robust process for figuring out what to do with our local locks and dams. >>

Future of Mpls. locks and dams uncertain — Public meetings July 16 & 17

by Irene Jones

June 14, 2018

Will we stay the course or are rapids on the horizon? The Army Corps of Engineers is studying its options for the Minneapolis locks and dams and holding public meetings in Minneapolis and St. Paul on this topic July 16 and 17. >>

Albert Bierstadt's "The Falls of St. Anthony" (detail)

FMR statement on the endangered Mississippi river gorge (2018)

April 9, 2018

Is it time to remove dams from the Mississippi river gorge?

by Irene Jones

April 9, 2018

Dam removal discussions are ramping up in the Twin Cities, and for good reason. Just as the Army Corps of Engineers embarks on a study to determine future ownership and operation of the locks and dams in Minneapolis and St. Paul, our local Mississippi river gorge was named to the 2018 list of American Rivers "10 Most Endangered Rivers."

Learn more, including FMR's position and recent media coverage. >>