Coon Rapids Dam

Coon Rapids Dam. . , Throughout history, the Mississippi River has been the artery of life for the Minneapolis St. Paul metropolitan area and the State of Minnesota. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Mississippi powered flour mills and industries. Harnessing the power of the river also took place here at Coon Rapids Dam. The Dam was built in 1913 to generate hydroelectric power and operated as a power plant until 1966., In 1969, the Dam's purpose began to change from industrial to recreational when the Park District was given the Dam and 225 acres of surrounding property for development as a regional park. The park opened to the public in 1978 and included a pedestrian walkway over the Dam connecting the river's eastern and western banks., In 2011, the Minnesota Legislature appropriated $16 million to renovate the Coon Rapids Dam to act as a barrier to prevent invasive fish species from moving upstream to northern Minnesota waters. The renovated Dam represents a partnership between Three Rivers Park District and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which coordinated the rehabilitation project of the Dam., The Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners acknowledges the generous support of our partners that have committed significant resources to maintaining and enhancing the Dam and the Regional Park: the Minnesota Legislature, the Metropolitan Council, the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission and the Anoka County Board of Commissioners., Coon Rapids Dam is dedicated to helping people experience the power, beauty and wonder of the Mississippi River and its surrounding lands., Rededicated October 3, 2015, Board of Commissioners: John Gunyou, Chair . Steven Antolak . Daniel Freeman, Vice Chair . Gene Kay . Jennifer DeJournett . John Gibbs . Penny Steele . Boe Carlson, Superintendent