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 and Dam 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 Corps held meetings with the public, resource agencies and non-governmental agencies to begin the scoping process. A summary of scoping comments received was developed and posted to the project website in May 2023. A draft report is scheduled to be available for public comment in summer 2024. The study is scheduled to be complete in 2025. This schedule is at risk due to lack of funding.

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 full or partial removal of the dam at each site. An environmental assessment or environmental impact statement will be prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

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 non-federal sponsor and authorized under a new start feasibility study.

Authority

Section 216 of the Flood Control Act of 1970 allows the Corps of Engineers 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

Estimated cost of the study is $4 million over two years, ($1 million per site, per year). The fiscal year 2024 President’s Budget is $50,000 per site ($100,000 total). A total of $949,000 has been obligated to date.  FY 24 capacity is ­­­­$1,500,000. The cost of disposition studies has been funded under the Investigations appropriation and workplan.