Brooklyn Park in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
How the Dam Works
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, June 13, 2014
1. How the Dam Works Marker
The original dam was built in 1913 and had 28 steel gates. The gates moved up and down to allow different amounts of water to flow under them. The current dam was completed in 1997 and is fitted with five crest gates. These gates maintain levels by allowing different amounts of water to flow over them. Four of the new gates are made of rubber and can be inflated with air. The gate on the west end of the dam is a steel crest gate.
The steel gate on the west side is automatically controlled to keep the upper pool at a prescribed level. It is fully adjustable with many positions from completely open to completely closed.
In summer, water levels are kept near 830 feet above sea level.
Erected by Three Rivers Park District; Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.
Location. 45° 8.533′
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, June 13, 2014
2. How the Dam Works Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); World War II Monument (approx. 4.9 miles away); Louis Hennepin (approx. 4.9 miles away); Highway of Exploration (approx. 5 miles away); Circle of Life (approx. 5 miles away); Logbooms Meet Sawmills (approx. 5.1 miles away); River Highways (approx. 5.1 miles away); Where Cultures Meet (approx. 5.1 miles away).
More about this marker. inset caption:
Each rubber gate can be set manually in one of three positions: Deflated; Partially Inflated; Fully Inflated
Also see . . .
1. Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Wikipedia entry:
"While commercial traffic on the Mississippi River once passed through Coon Rapids - steamboats could reach as far north as St. Cloud under certain conditions - the construction of the Coon Rapids Dam marked the city as the northern terminus of the navigable portion of the river." (Submitted on June 26, 2014.)
2. Coon Rapids Dam Rehabilitation Project. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources entry:
"The Coon Rapids Dam is located
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, June 13, 2014
3. Coon Rapids Dam
Northern terminus of the navigable portion of the Mississippi River.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 477 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 26, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
