The Ford Dam

 

History

The Ford Dam came to be known as the result of a 50 year struggle between Minneapolis and St. Paul to exploit hydro-power and access to the Mississippi river.  The 9-foot navigation channel project was headed by the U.S. army corps whose goal was to inforce 23 locks and dams across the Mississippi to extend water distribution.  The original goals were to create two low-water dams.  The first lock and dam was built just south of Ford Parkway.  The second lock and dam was built just north of Lake street.  Shortly after both locks and dams were built, the U.S. government stepped in and claimed that the first lock and dam would become a high-water power dam, so the result was that the second lock and dam was decommissioned and destroyed after only five years in operation.  The locks were closed following the I-35W bridge collapse from August 1, 2007 to October 5, 2007. [1]

 

Hydroelectricy

The Ford Dam operates a hydroelectric power station which generates electricity to the Twin Cities Assembly Plant on the east side of the river.  Hydroelectric power is renewable and produces zero waste.  About 19% of the world's electricy comes from hydroelectric power, which exhausts no greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. [2]

 

 

1.  Ford Dam.  Retrieved on 4.13.08.  History

2.  Wikipedia.  Last modified on 4.09.08.  Retrieved on 4.13.08 Hydroelectricity