Purpose
The Mississippi River Headwaters Project consists of six headwaters dams in north-central Minnesota. Cross Lake, Gull Lake, Big Sandy Lake, Lake Winnibigoshish, Pokegama Lake and Leech Lake make up the system. They were constructed or reconstructed between 1900 and 1913 (work on Pokegama started in 1884 and Winnibigoshish in 1885) to aid navigation on the Mississippi River between St. Paul, Minnesota, and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Because the navigation mission of the headwater’s dams declined with the creation of the upper Mississippi River 9-foot navigation channel and as recreation grew in importance to the region’s economy, the mission shifted to flood risk management, recreation and environmental stewardship.
Location
The project is located in north-central Minnesota near the towns of Cross Lake, Brainerd, McGregor, Deer River, Grand Rapids and Federal Dam.
Description
The project includes six U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed campgrounds and several day-use areas. The project’s multiple-use water resource management (flood risk management, recreation and environmental stewardship) affects several communities, thousands of property owners, countless recreational users, resource agencies, industry, the general public and Native American communities.
Since their construction, the reservoirs in the headwaters have prevented $66 million in flood damages.
Status
Work continues on boundary surveying and rectification of fee and flowage easement lands, and completion of recreation facility upgrades for energy efficiency and sustainability, including upgrade of a sewer system at Gull Lake Recreation Area. A federal highway administration-funded replacement roadway is in the project development process for the Gull Lake Dam Road. Preliminary engineering reports to include rehabilitation alternatives for Pokegama and Gull Lake Dams were completed in fiscal year 2023. A preliminary engineering report is underway for Leech Lake Dam in fiscal year 2024, anticipating a fiscal year 2026 completion. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding utilized in fiscal year 2024 to repair the toe ditch drain at Winnibigoshish Dam. Tribal nations with proximity to Corps Headwater’s project sites have had increasing interest in Corps operations and staff have regularly been meeting with local tribes regarding inquiries.
Authority
The River and Harbor Acts of June 14, 1880 (21 Stat. 180), and August 2, 1882 (22 Stat. 191), authorized the construction of the six dams. Congress directed the Secretary of War to establish regulations governing their operation through the River and Harbor Act of August 11, 1888.
Funding
FY 2023:
Allocation O&M - $6,280,560
BIL - $750,000
FY 2024:
Allocation $5,590,530
FY 2025:
President’s Budget Request $4,874,000