Corps of Engineers reopens two Minneapolis locks to recreational traffic

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, reopened its locks at Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam and Lock and Dam 1, both in Minneapolis, today to recreational traffic.

The locks were closed to recreation traffic April 24 due to high flows from the spring snowmelt. It’s Corps policy to close these locks to recreational traffic once the river flow exceeds 30,000 cubic feet per second.

Mike DeRusha, lockmaster for the two locks, urged boaters to continue exercising caution and being vigilant when boating in the area. Submerged logs and other debris below the water’s surface can cause severe damage to water craft and passengers. He also reminded everyone to be smart while on the water and to always wear a life jacket. 

The nearly 600 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, employees working at more than 40 sites in five upper-Midwest states serve the American public in the areas of environmental enhancement, navigation, flood damage reduction, water and wetlands regulation, recreation sites and disaster response. Through the Corps’ Fiscal Year 2015 $100 million budget, nearly 1,600 non-Corps jobs were added to the regional economy as well as $155 million to the national economy. For more information, see www.mvp.usace.army.mil. 

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