IntroductionThe public area of Lock and Dam 1 is open seasonally for watching lock usage by pleasure craft and commercial barges. The high walls of the gorge in which the lock and dam sits hosts much birdlife, including bald eagles, peregrine falcons, vultures, hawks, and smaller migratory birds. HistoryThe construction of Lock and Dam 1 was completed in 1917. The 30-foot high dam provided the water depth necessary to maintain a 9 1/2-foot channel from St. Paul to Minneapolis. Reconstruction of the dam took place in 1929 and then again from 1978 to 1983. Lock and Dam 1 is one of the steps in the "stairway of water" on the Mississippi River that makes possible the travel of craft from St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis to the Gulf of Mexico. ActivitiesThere is a public observation deck available for landbound visitors, which is opened on a seasonal basis. Boaters should consider obtaining resources, which include the Metro Area Rivers Guide. The Army Corps of Engineers provides navigation charts which may be obtained online either through download or by purchasing a hard copy. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources booklet, Boating on the Big River, provides lots of good information on staying safe, the process on locking through dams, and how to have fun on this national treasure. Hours, Directions, and Contact Information
Nearby SitesMinnehaha Regional Park, , Coldwater Spring (NPS) |
Last updated: February 28, 2020