Purpose
Determine whether continued operation and ownership of Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam and Lock and Dam 1 are in the federal interest, and if not, consider alternatives for disposal of the property.
Location
Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam and Lock and Dam 1 are located on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Description
Both locks have been affected by the decrease in the demand for navigation services stemming from the closure of Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock on June 9, 2015.
Status
Disposition studies for Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam and Lock and Dam 1 started in August 2022. In October 2022, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) held meetings with the public, resource agencies, and nongovernmental agencies to begin the scoping process. A summary of scoping comments received was developed and posted to the project website in May 2023. Baseline condition determination and evaluation of the project performance history have been the primary activities completed in fiscal year 2023. Due to funding, a draft report will not be available in summer 2024, as anticipated. A new study completion schedule will be developed upon receipt of federal funds.
As per Section 1168 of America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, in addition to considering no action and full deauthorization and disposal of the projects, disposition studies must consider opportunities for ecosystem restoration (full or partial removal of the structures) at each dam site. Should the recommendation contain disposal, a local sponsor that is willing to share the cost of a specifically authorized feasibility study of additional modifications and uses of the project and of the expansion or transfer of authorizations would need to be identified. If disposal of the properties is not recommended, additional studies may be performed to modify the projects to serve existing or new authorized purposes or for additional uses identified by a potential nonfederal sponsor and authorized under a new feasibility study..
Authority
Section 216 of the Flood Control Act of 1970 allows USACE to study completed projects or their operation when found advisable due to significantly changed physical or economic conditions. Federal property disposal is managed by the General Services Administration as governed by federal law.
Funding
The study has received $1,415,000 through fiscal year 2025: capability in fiscal year 2026 is $700,000, and capability in fiscal year 2027 is $831,000.