Mississippi Gallery

Before the Upper Mississippi Locks and Dams

The following eight images depict the Upper Mississippi River before the three upper Mississippi River locks and dams were built beginning in 1917. Before the locks and dams, the river had a faster flow with white water conditions and islands throughout. Many species relied on these rapids for habitat. Lock and dam construction severely impacts these ecosystems and impacted over 50 species, including paddlefish and sturgeon.

Mississippi River just below Upper Saint Anthony Falls with an island in the middle and rushing water.

The Mississippi River at Saint Anthony Falls in 1865 with water moving quicker than today.

View of Cataract and Spirit Islands on the Mississippi River in 1869 when the river flowed faster.

1859

Below Upper St. Anthony Falls

1865

St. Anthony Falls

1869

Cataract and Spirit Islands

Drawing of the Upper Saint Anthony Falls in 1870 with islands in the river.

The Mississippi River below Saint Anthony Falls and the Stone Arch Bridge in 1884.

The Mississippi River below the Lake Street Bridge in 1888 with an island in the middle.

1870

St. Anthony Falls

1884

St. Anthony Falls

1888

Lake St. Bridge

A person sits on the bank of the Mississippi River below the Franklin Bridge.

1896

St. Anthony Falls

1910

Below the Franklin Bridge

Source: Minnesota Historical Society

Building the River Infrastructure

Construction of the Upper Saint Anthony Falls Lock in 1950

Source: Minnesota Historical Society

Imagining a future mississippi

Possible future Mississippi River below the Franklin Bridge without dams with kayakers on the white water and a walking path on the right bank.

below the Franklin Ave Bridge

People look out over the Lake Street Bridge on a possible future Mississippi River without dams.

Lake St Bridge

Source: Computer Generated Images (CGI) by John Kopek, Samuel Geer, and Michael Keenan, faculty of the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Minnesota via American Currents

Bohemian flats park

Source: Mississippi Gorge Regional Park Master Plan

Comparing A past, present, & future

Upper Mississippi River

Left: Present, calm Mississippi River. Right: Possible future Mississippi River below the Franklin Bridge without dams with kayakers on the white water and a walking path on the right bank.

Present & Future Mississippi Below Franklin Ave. Bridge

Sources: Left: Photo by Konrad Schmidt via American Currents; Left: Computer Generated Image (CGI) by John Kopek, Samuel Geer, and Michael Keenan, faculty of the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Minnesota via American Currents

Left: Person looking over the Lake Street Bridge at the present, calm Mississippi River. Right: People look out over the Lake Street Bridge on a possible future Mississippi River without dams.

Present & Future Mississippi from the Lake St. Bridge

Sources: Left: Photo by Konrad Schmidt via American Currents; Right: Computer Generated Image (CGI) by John Kopek, Samuel Geer, and Michael Keenan, faculty of the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Minnesota via American Currents

Left: Past Mississippi River at Upper Saint Anthony Falls with faster moving water than today. Right: Present Upper Saint Anthony Falls with calm river flow.

Past & Present Upper St. Anthony Falls

Sources: Left: 1857 Image by Ferdinand Reichardt via American Currents; Right: Photo by Konrad Schmidt via American Currents

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