Lock & Dam 1

  • Located on Mississippi River mile 847.9, in the city of Minneapolis.
  • Construction completed in 1917, reconstructed in 1929. The main lock was completed in May 1932. The last major rehabilitation occured between 1978-1983.
  • The dam consists of an Ambursen concrete overflow structure 574' long. The hydro power station is owned and operated by Brookfield Power Co.
  • The lock chamber is 56' wide by 400' long. The river Lock 56' wide by 400' long.
  • It is the only twin lock in the district.

Brochure

Lockage Hours 

  • Saturdays and Sundays and on major holidays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the last lockage at 5:30 p.m.
  • Mondays and Fridays from 12 p.m. (noon) to 6 p.m. with the last lockage at 5:30 p.m.
  • Tuesdays - Thursdays 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for COMMERCIAL traffic by APPOINTMENT ONLY with 24-hour notice (NO recreation traffic)

Please call to check availability during the week as these hours may change to Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for COMMERICAL traffic by APPOINTMENT ONLY with 24-hour notice. (Hours on Saturdays, Sundays and major holidays will NOT change)

  • Recreators need to be at the lock at least 30 minute prior to the closure to ensure your lockage.
  • To schedule a lockage, please contact the lock staff by Channel 14 on a marine radio, call the lock staff at (651) 290-5919, or pull the recreation pull cord on the lock's guide wall.

Minneapolis locks disposition studies
The district is conducting disposition studies to examine the benefits and costs of continuing to operate federal projects which are no longer serving their authorized purpose.

Visitor Center information

The visitor center will be open to the public from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., seven days per week. The visitor center is located at 5000 W River Parkway in Minneapolis along the Mississippi River. The visitor center is free to visit and is a self-guided experience that allows the public to get a hands-on perspective of a working lock and dam as well as amazing views of the Mississippi River. The visitor center was closed during COVID-19.

Lock and Dam 1
Lock & Dam 1, Minneapolis, Minn.

Contact information

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
St. Paul District
Lock and Dam 1

5000 West River Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55417-1609
(651) 290-5919