Damned

Minnesota

Introduction

The series draws attention to lesser-known problems in Minnesota by exploring emerging issues and highlighting obscured and underrepresented conflicts.

Podcasts

Episode 1: The Future of the Mississippi River

Unpacking the discourse over the disposition and possible removal of Upper Saint Anthony Falls, Lower Saint Anthony Falls, and Ford Lock and Dam 1

Location: (Twin Cities)

Focus: 2021 and beyond

Listen Here

Case Study Overview

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regularly makes decisions to halt, dispose, or relinquish jurisdiction over infrastructure projects no longer serving their originally intended purpose. In order to make informed decisions, information is gathered through disposition studies. Disposition studies are heavily interwoven with communities and local power structures. In 2018, disposition studies were started on Upper Saint Anthony Falls, Lower Saint Anthony Falls, and Ford Lock and Dam 1. Removal is no longer one of the potential outcomes for Upper St. Anthony Falls, but discussions about the other dams and the future of the Twin Cities Gorge are still heavily underway.

Evaluating the readily available information, prominent discussion leaders, and apparent decision makers allows the podcast to view the ongoing process and discourse form a critical, environmental justice perspective.

The future of the Mississippi River is in question. It is the way in which the current discussions are conducted that will determine its path.

Guiding Questions

Who is discussing the future of Upper Saint Anthony Falls, Lower Saint Anthony Falls, and Ford Lock and Dam 1?
Who is knowledgable about the situation?
Who has taken the public spotlight as being explicitly involved in the processes?

Works Cited

Compiled by Dr. Roopali Phadke, Alexandra Jabbarpour. “Upper Mississippi River: Disposition.” ArcGIS StoryMaps. Esri and Macalester College, July 21, 2021. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9b26ad80592a4dbea4c7092c2349c5be

Dorothy, Olivia. “Restore the Mississippi River? Twin Cities Say ‘Yes.’” American Rivers. American Rivers, January 5, 2018. https://www.americanrivers.org/2018/01/restore-mississippi-river-twin-cities-say-yes/.

Du, Susan. “Feds Find No Takers for Mothballed Mississippi River Lock in Minneapolis.” Star Tribune. Star Tribune, March 9, 2021. https://www.startribune.com/feds-find-no-takers-for-mothballed-mississippi-river-lock-in-minneapolis/600031842/.

Jones, Irene. “Locks and Dam Meetings Draw a Crowd.” Friends of the Mississippi River, September 17, 2019.
https://fmr.org/river-corridor-and-land-use-updates/locks-and-dam-meeting-draws-crowd.

Mischke, Dale. “U.S. Army Corps Seeks New Owner for Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock.” MyVillager, January 5, 2021. https://myvillager.com/2021/01/06/u-s-army-corps-seeks-new-owner-for-upper-st-anthony-falls-lock/.

O'Connor Toberman, Colleen. “Congress Clarifies Future of Upper St. Anthony Falls.” Friends of the Mississippi River, January 18, 2021. https://www.fmr.org/river-corridor-and-land-use-updates/congress-clarifies-future-upper-st-anthony-falls.

Press, Associated. “MPLS. Could Join a Wisconsin City in Removing Its Dams.” MPR News. MPR News, July 14, 2019. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/04/27/ap-riverfalls-minneapolis-dam-removal-proposals.

Roper, Eric. “Historical, Hidden Wall Protecting St. Anthony Falls Draws New Scrutiny over Its Unknown Condition.” Star Tribune. Star Tribune, August 14, 2021. https://www.startribune.com/historical-hidden-wall-protecting-st-anthony-falls-draws-new- scrutiny-over-its-unknown-condition/600087931/#:~:text=wall%20protecting%20St.-,Anthony%20Falls%20draws%20new%20scrutiny%20over%20its%20unknown%20condition,the%20Eastman%20Tunnel%20near%20St.&text=Anifson%20has%20been%20trying%20to,the%20wall%20needs%20closer%20scrutiny.

Stanley, Greg. “An Old River Lock in Downtown Minneapolis Could Have New Life as a Park.” Star Tribune. Star Tribune, May 12, 2020. https://www.startribune.com/mothballed-river-lock-in-minneapolis-could-have-new-life-as-park/570378632/?refresh=true.

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. United States Government. 2021. https://transportation.house.gov/download/wrda-bill-text

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “Disposition Study, Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, and Lock and Dam 1, Upper Mississ.” St. Paul District, March 22, 2019. https://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/Home/Projects/Article/1793026/disposition-study-lower-st-anthony-falls-lock-and-dam-and-lock-and-dam-1-upper/.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “Presentation Disposition Study - United States Army.” U.S. Army, August 2019. https://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/Portals/57/docs/Civil%20Works/Projects/MplsLocksDisposition/Aug2019_PublicMeetings/DispositionStudy_MasterPresentation_AUG_2019.pdf?ver=2019-08-13-160102-033.

“A New Future for the Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront.” Friends of the Mississippi River, June 13, 2020. https://fmr.org/river-corridor-and-land-use-updates/new-future-downtown-minneapolis-riverfront.

“Confluence.” Waterstothesea.org. 2021. https://waterstothesea.org/Confluence-Bdote/.

“Dream of Wild Health.” Dream of Wild Health. 2017. https://dreamofwildhealth.org/.

“Lock and Dam No. 1.” National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior. 2021. https://www.nps.gov/miss/planyourvisit/lockdam1.htm.

“Lower Phalen Creek Project.” Lower Phalen Creek Project. 2020. https://www.lowerphalencreek.org/.

“St. Anthony Falls Drawdown: A River Revealed.” Waterstothesea.org. Hamline University. 2021. https://waterstothesea.org/SA_Falls_Drawdown/

Personal reflections on the project & class podcast series

Final Thought:

If we refuse to learn about the history of the place we live in we are very little; we are nothing if we refuse to learn from the past and improve our practices going forward. Don't let settler colonialism perpetuate.

Csanad: This assignment and podcast series was a welcomed change from the classic academic curriculum. I used to work as a professional podcast editor, but never had the chance to record podcasts myself. I enjoyed developing a skill that I can transfer to my future and learned to like listening to myself talk. I only wish I could have invested more time and gained a much deeper understanding of my chosen topic.

Acknowledgments:

First and foremost I would like to thank Professor Sailiata for her inspiring classes and conversations, without her, this podcast would never have been born. Second, I would like to thank all my peers who have propelled me forward with their suggestions and insights and who have made this semester enjoyable. I would also like to extend gratitude to Professor Phadke who's insight and connections regarding the topic made the podcast survive the panning stages.

Very special thanks to Alana Joseph and Anatoliy Cherednichenko, my co-hosts through various stages of the process. Alana, without your input and your help with research, planning, and recording DamnedMinnesota would itself be damned. Anatoliy, you came through at the most dire of times, thank you for always being there as someone to lean on.

Host

Csanad Hegyi

I'm an International Studies and Environmental Studies double major with a focus in politics; and a Geography Minor. Class '23 at Macalester College. I love being outside, traveling, and rock climbing. I have a passion for turning tragedies into comedies and making people laugh.

After growing up between Hungary and Kentucky, one of my greatest stress relievers is being able to say, "Home is where the dog is."

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