St. Anthony Falls Lower Lock and Dam

MISSISSIPPI· Hennepin, Minnesota· Built 1956· Concrete· 41 ft tall
Significant Hazard Navigation Recreation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

St. Anthony Falls Lower Lock and Dam is classified as significant hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is navigation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 41 ft (taller than 94% in MN)
Dam Length213 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage420 acre-ft
Normal Storage375 acre-ft
Surface Area50 acres
Drainage Area19,680 sq mi
Max Discharge91,000 cfs
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDMN00591

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: October 7, 2020
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USACE - St. Paul District

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of St. Anthony Falls Lower Lock and Dam?

St. Anthony Falls Lower Lock and Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates St. Anthony Falls Lower Lock and Dam?

St. Anthony Falls Lower Lock and Dam is owned by USACE - St. Paul District (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was St. Anthony Falls Lower Lock and Dam built?

St. Anthony Falls Lower Lock and Dam was completed in 1956, making it 70 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of St. Anthony Falls Lower Lock and Dam?

St. Anthony Falls Lower Lock and Dam serves the following purposes: Navigation, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is St. Anthony Falls Lower Lock and Dam?

St. Anthony Falls Lower Lock and Dam has a dam height of 41 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was St. Anthony Falls Lower Lock and Dam last inspected?

St. Anthony Falls Lower Lock and Dam was last inspected on October 7, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.