Thank you, River Guardians!
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
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
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
The Army Corps of Engineers is considering whether to maintain or transfer ownership of local locks and dams, including Upper St. Anthony Falls lock (visible in the aerial above). (Photo ACOE)
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
Albert Bierstadt's depiction of St. Anthony Falls circa 1860. While some seek preservation of the dams for hydropower, others advocate for the return of a more naturally flowing river. (Painting detail courtesy Wikimedia)
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. >>
Restoring rapids to the Mississippi river gorge
FMR Position Statement
Re: American Rivers’ designation of the Mississippi River Gorge as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® 2018
Is it time to remove dams from the Mississippi river gorge?
The spillway at Lock and Dam 1, a.k.a. the Ford Dam, in St. Paul.
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. >>
Unlocking the future of St. Anthony Falls
What's at the end of the rainbow? Our local national park's visitor center at the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock. Photo by National Park Conservation Association.
Big ideas are bubbling up to transform the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock in downtown Minneapolis site. Closed to navigation in June 2015, the lock could become the centerpiece of the vibrant riverfront park and neighborhood that surrounds it.