Corps of Engineers opens Upper St. Anthony Falls gate to reduce flood risk

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is opening the gate at the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, in Minneapolis, today due to high flows on the Mississippi River.

The current data at St. Anthony Falls indicates Mississippi River flows are near 52,000 cubic feet per second, or cfs. According to the operating plan for this lock, the gate is opened when flows near or exceed 52,000 cfs and will remain open until flows return to a normal range of around 40,000 cfs.   

As a reminder, Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam and Lock and Dam 1, both in Minneapolis, are closed to navigation due to flows being above 40,000 cfs. Commercial navigation will reopen once the river flows are below 40,000 cfs, and recreational traffic will reopen once the river flows are below 30,000 cfs.

The Corps reminds boaters to exercise caution and be vigilant when boating in the river, as Mississippi River currents are high. Submerged logs and other debris below the water’s surface can cause severe damage to watercraft and passengers. Always wear a life vest, as events can happen quickly, and observe buoys marking restricted areas. 

- 30 -