St. Anthony Falls to Be Shut Off 9 Months Per Year? 49 Steps to Madness PT 2 - The Crown Hydro Project

This is installament 2 of a 5 part series looking at the proposed Crown Hydro project.  The State of Minnesota is attempting to force the Minneapolis Park Board to not only approve this project, but also provide Nationally Historic Parkland to a private developer.

The Crown Hydro project at St. Anthony Falls and Mill Ruins Park, if approved, will give the developer the right to shut off St. Anthony Falls from September 22 through June 20 each year.

From Section 5 of the Letter of Intent being considered by the Minneapolis Park Board

stating the intent to keep St. Anthony Falls flowing at the rate of “2,000 cfs during the prime viewing periods, such best  viewing periods, considered for purposes of this Letter of Intent as June 21 – September 21.”

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) License Article 404

“During low flows in July and August, the project will operate with up to 500 cfs during the daylight hours even if it dries up the falls . . . “

Will “St. Anthony Wet Cement” be the new name of this iconic symbol of Minneapolis?

Rather than being a year round attraction for walkers, runners, bikers (yes bikers) and tourists, seems we could have an amusement park type of attraction for the 3 months each year.  Who’ll get to flip the switch to turn on the Falls each year on June 21?  Maybe the developer can hold a lottery to increase his profits?  Better yet, why not just move the whole attraction to Valley Fair, which happens to be in the district of Representative Michael Beard (R) District: 35A, sponsor of the Legislation that started this fiasco?

In all seriousness, St. Anthony Falls is the Historic Birthplace of Minneapolis, an iconic symbol of our City, and an important part of the daily lives of thousands of people both local and from all parts of the world.  How did this absurd proposal even make it to this point?  Will a dry falls be the legacy of MPRB Superintendant Miller, Board President John Erwin and the current Board?

Bottom line: The Minneapolis Park Board is scheduled to vote on this project on Wednesday, May 18.  If it passes, Crown Hydro, and "St. Anthony Wet Cement", could be just a few steps, and a few days away.

Download our flyer to for info on how you can help stop this ill-conceived project…

About This Series
Kim and I walked down to check out the location of the Crown Hydro project located in Mill Ruins Park at St. Anthony Falls.  The proximity to the Stone Arch Bridge and other important historical treasures surprised us, so I thought I'd take a rough measure - I'd "step it off".  It was 49 steps from the center of the proposed Hydroelectric facility to the foot of the Stone Arch Bridge.  I decided to dig a little deeper.  This 5 part series is the result of that effort.

49 Steps to Madness - The Crown Hydro Project

Pt 1 - Stone Arch Bridge to Be Shut Down?

Pt 2 - St. Anthony Falls to Be Shut Off 9 Months Per Year?

Pt 3 - Mill Ruins Park to Become and Underwater Attraction?

Pt 4 - Shake, Rattle & Ruins

Pt 5 - State Planning a Hostile Takeover of Minneapolis

Update on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 7:39AM by David Tinjum

Please attend the Minneapolis Park Board meeting May 18 at 5:00 PM to show your support for stopping this ill-conceived project.

Contact your elected officials and ask them to drop their support...