1902 Blandin Dam on Mississippi River in Grand Rapids, MN

(John A. Weeks III; Satellite)

I was not able to find the megawatt capacity of the powerhouse.

Street View, Sep 2024

This view is grainy, but it shows a crane is working on the spillway.

Street View, Aug 2025

Here is another view of  that work on the spillway. The background is a small fraction of the Blandin Paper Mill that built this dam.

Street View, Aug 2025

JohnWeeks
"The mill was a success because they continually lead the industry in the quality of their coated paper products, the type of paper used by magazines such as Time and Newsweek. The dam construction began in May of 1901 on the Grand Rapids of the Mississippi River, at the base of a stretch of water falls that dropped 30 feet in just over 3 miles. The mill started operation in 1902....In 2001, the mill set a world record by running a coating machine for 24 hours straight at an average speed of 5,656 feet of paper per minute, which is over 64 miles of paper per hour."
[Most coated paper mills that I have studied have gone out of business because so many magazines and catalogs have quit publishing.]

Katherine Woznek, Aug 2018

Mississippi Lock and Dam #21 near Quincy, IL

(John A Weeks III; Satellite)

USACE

USACE, Rock Island District posted

It's another birthday today with Lock and Dam 21 in Quincy, Illinois, turning 88 years young! Construction began on the lock structure on December 11, 1933, with the entire system placed in operation on this date [July 23] in 1938.

Interesting fact: Due to to a lack of funding at the time, the lock was completed one year before construction of the dam began.

JohnWick

USACE, Rock Island District posted

It's #FlashbackFriday and today we head to Lock and Dam 21 in Quincy, Illinois! This photo takes us back to 1967 as the towboat J.W. Hershey is heading southbound on the Mississippi River. 

Lock and Dam 21 is one of twelve locks within the Rock Island District on the Mississippi River and is the second most southern lock on the river within the District.

USACE, Rock Island District posted

A satellite caught a 15-barge tow being reassembled so that it can continue its trip upstream.

Satellite

1900 Winnibigoshish Dam on Mississippi River near Deer River, MN

(HAER; Satellite)

Street View, Aug 2016

USACE, St. Paul District posted

We #TBT to April 22, 1882, when the first pilings were driven in for #WinnibigoshishDam, located near #DeerRiver, #Minnesota.  

The original dam, made in part from nearly 2 million feet of white and Norway pine, was replaced in 1899 by the concrete structure that still sits in Lake Winnibigoshish today. 

 The name Winnibigoshish is #Chippewa, meaning rough water.

John Weeks

"The original dam at this location was a wooden dam started in 1881 and finished in 1884. It was replaced with a concrete dam in 1899-1900. A 12-foot log sluice and a 5-foot fish ladder was added in 1912. These additions are no longer in use. The bridge deck was added in 1909, and rebuilt in 1990.

"This was the first major reservoir built on the Mississippi River. The US Army Corps of Engineers report that the dam and reservoir were built to be a resource that would benefit the entire nation. Water released from northern reservoirs would help make the shipping season more predictable and safer. Today, the dam is used to keep the lake at a constant level of 1,297 feet above sea level. The shipping lanes are now managed by downstream locks and dams, leaving the lake available for recreational purposes.

"The lake is 67,000 acres, with about 140 miles of shoreline. Unlike lakes in the Brainerd Lakes area, Winnibigoshish remains mostly undeveloped. As the fifth largest lake in Minnesota, it is considered to be the crown jewel for fishing, and some of the best walleye fishing in the world. One key to the excellent fish habitat is that this lake is located on a major river, which keeps the lake flushed clean."

hmdb

The Corps of Engineers dates back to the Revolutionary War. On June 16, 1775, the day before the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Continental Congress appointed a Chief Engineer and two assistants for the Grand Army; a few years later, in 1779, Congress formally established the Corps of Engineers.

In 1860, Major General Warren, the first St. Paul District Engineer, performed field surveys in the Mississippi River Headwaters region. Ten years later, Congress authorized a study to determine whether a series of dams and reservoirs constructed in this area could assist in stabilizing water flow in the Mississippi River between St. Paul, Minnesota, and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. As a result of these studies, the St. Paul District designed a system of dams capable of raising water levels and storing annual spring runoff in six existing lake systems, for release when low water downstream caused hazards to navigation. Congress funded the Headwaters projects, and the dams were constructed and placed in operation between 1884 and 1912.

Today, by a series of locks and dams, the Corps maintains a 9-foot deep navigation channel below Minneapolis, Minn. The Headwaters reservoirs no longer serve the purpose for which they were constructed, but do provide flood control and storage for additional water during periods of drought, and offer outstanding opportunities for water-based recreation activities. In addition, the lakes support major populations of fish, and provide habitat for a number of furbearing mammals. The forests, marshes, and wetlands also furnish a haven for many species of wildlife and waterfowl.

Winnibigoshish Dam, located on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation, was the first constructed in the system of six dams. It is located on the Mississippi River 170 river miles from its source in Lake Itasca and 1,244 river miles from its mouth at the Gulf Coast. The original structure, built at the outlet of the lake and completed in 1884, was of timber-crib on timber piles. By 1903 the timber structure had deteriorated and was replaced by concrete. Today the dam is a 162-foot-long concrete structure on timber piles. It controls the runoff from a 1,442-square-mile drainage area that includes 28 lakes. The original construction was done by a crew of about 300 skilled and unskilled workers at an initial cost of $75,000.

Lake Winnibigoshish (67,000 acres in size, with 141 miles of shoreline) fills a basin formed by a huge ice block left behind by a receding glacier, and is surrounded by glacial deposits. Several archaeological sites along the shore provide evidence of prehistoric settlements. The Ojibwa named it "miserable-wretched-dirty-water" (Winnibigoshish) because of the effect of storm winds churning up the muddy bottom.

[hmdb]

hmdb
"This timber dam at Lake Winnibigoshish was the first in a system of six dams built in the Headwaters of the Mississippi River. ca. 1898, Minnesota Historical Society"

hmdb
"This 1880 log sluice in a northern Minnesota dam allowed a sufficient volume of water through to carry logs to the next logging dam. ca. 1880, Minnesota Historical Society"

hmdb
"Lake Winnibigoshish Dam and Reservoir. ca. 1975"

hmdb
"In 1885 laborers at Lake Winnibigoshish were paid $30.00 per month. ca. March 1884"

Significance: The Lake Winnibigoshish Reservoir Dam is one of six Mississippi River Headwaters Reservoir dam sites that are historically significant for their association with navigation, commerce, tourism, the Ojibway Indians, and U.S. Indian policy in Minnesota in the late 19th century. 

By providing a consistent flow of water throughout the navigation season, the Winnibigoshish Dam enhanced navigation and aided in the commercial development of the Upper Mississippi River. The dam site was also one of the earliest non-Indian settlements in the region and by the late 19th century was attracting some of the first tourists to the area.- The dam had a devastating impact on the Ojibway Indians who lived along the lake's shores. The project precipitated a century-long conflict between the tribe and the U.S. government over the damages resulting from the inundation of tribal lands and property.

[HAER_data]  

HAER MINN,31-DERIV.V,1--2
2. Downstream view of dam, looking northwest - Lake Winnibigoshish Reservoir Dam, Deer River, Itasca County, MN

Not everyone was as enthusiastic about the addition of the dam on the Mississippi. The Ojibwe band that lived in the area was greatly affected and in a detrimental way. The dam was constructed on Ojibwe land without consent from the tribe which wedged the first ax between the Natives and the Corps. When the dam was completed, the water level of Lake Winnibigoshish rose 14 feet, which subsequently caused the village, gardens, and traditional burial grounds to be flooded and destroyed. The Corps estimated that around 23,240 acres of Ojibwe land was flooded. The rise in water level also deepened the shallow fishing grounds that the band relied on for net fishing. This hurt the tribe’s food supply greatly as the netted fish supplied a significant portion of the food supply. Hay that grew along the lake shore was lost, along with many cranberry marshes, and some maple trees. In 1889, the Rice Commission determined that the band’s wild rice marshes were also severely damaged.

According to the Ojibwe, the high water had completely washed away the bones of their ancestors. This greatly upset the Ojibwe not only because part of their heritage was gone, but also because the government promised to move the cemetery and gardens to higher ground, but never did. Sho-kah-ge-shig, a spokesperson for the Winnibigoshish Ojibwe at the time, described the devastation:

“There are no persons who have been so badly damaged. Look around here. It is not fire that makes it look so barren around the lake. It is the effect of the water caused by the overflow.”

The federal government offered to pay the Ojibwe for damages as well as future damage that would be caused due to prospect of more dams being built. This came with a price tag of $15,466.90, but the Ojibwe rejected it. Negotiations kept going on until the Ojibwe saw no alternative but to relocate to the White Earth Reservation in western Minnesota. As part of the agreement reached during negotiations, the proceeds from land sales and improvements went to the reservation.

[GrandRapidsMN]

Headwaters History Booklet via USACE
"Lake Winnibigoshish Dam during construction, 1899"

1914 Coon Rapids Dam on Mississippi River at Brooklyn Park, MN

(Satellite)

The dam was built in 1914 for hydroelectric power. The dam was shut down in 1966 after becoming too expensive to operate. The dam was donated to a local park system. Starting in 2012, the dam got maintenace work to be a barrier to Invasive (Asian) Carp. [mnhs]

Al Schirmacher posted

Coon Rapids Dam

Brooklyn Park Minnesota

AnokaCountyParks

dnr
"The dam was modified in the mid 1990's to provide a new walkway and new gate system. In 2005, a major scour hole on the downstream side of the dam was repaired. When new scour damage was confirmed by an underwater sonar scan in 2009, a decision was made to look at all issues of concern related to the dam: scour damage, longevity and operability of the rubber gates, and the need to prevent the passage of invasive fish species."

AnokaCountyHistory
The dam is near a half mile long.

I could not find what the generation capacity used to be.

1931+1987 Bridge over Mississippi River at Babasha, MN

1931: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; Satellite, it was downstream from the current bridge.)

1987: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; Satellite)

Street View, Jul 2025

Jeani Wodele posted
March 2026. Wabasha MN

Oct 18, 1988, photo via Leader-Telegram via BridgeHunter_1931 and _1987

They closed the navigation channel with falsework when they built the 1931 bridge.

1930 photo via The Winona Daily News via BridgeHunter_1931

Jason Smith photo via BridgeHunter_1987

The 1987 bridge is 2462' (750m) long with a main span of 470' (143m). [BridgeHunter_1987]

The piers have more style than I would have expected for a modern bridge.

2008 photo by Don Morrison via BridgeHunter_1987

As I expected, the new main span was floated into place. These are three images from the Oct 15, 1987, issue of The Winona Daily News via BridgeHBunter_1987.

1

2

3

1872+1932+1981 Bridges to Arsenal Island over Mississippi Backchannel at Moline, IL

1872 15th Street: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter)

1932 16th Street: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter)

1981 Rodman Ave.: (Satellite)

1872 in the foreground and 1932 behind it.

1981

Boat View, Oct 2015

Back to the interesting bridges.

Retro Quad Cities posted two photos with the comment:

(corrected) On August 1st of 1930, the construction began on the New Moline Bridge. It was located at the foot of 16th Street to Arsenal Island with a cost of $275,000. During its construction an ancient piece of pottery was discovered imbedded in the Mississippi river 10 feet below the water line. The pottery resembled a cuspidor. It had the numbers "1813" scratched on it.

Eric Sorensen: There are remnants of the old truss on the Arsenal side of the slough. What’s really interesting is seeing how the water has worn away the limestone abutments over the years. Very cool!

Steve Simpson: Eric Sorensen Limestone is such an amazing rock! It comes from water - calcium precipitated from seawater by shell forming organisms - and it can go back into solution - giving us caves and cool rock features.

1

2

BridgeHunter_1872

This post is noteworthy because it taught me the location of the Moline Plow Works.

Fans of Rock Island Lines posted
Very early pic of the Span to the Island, Rock island with Moline Plow on the right, Deere wagon works beyond that. It's structure looks similar in design to the 3rd span or first government bridge, which was cast by the Baltimore bridge works shipped and built by the Arsenal ordinance dept. I have a post card calling this the government bridge too. Im guessing 1870s to 1880. The motion of the two figures on left tell u something,  whoever took it used a old box camera, pull the cap, count to 10. Long exposure. Probably had better equipment available but didn't possess it.

Boston Public Library Flickr
Government Bridge between Moline, Illinois and Rock Island Arsenal

BridgeHunter_1932

1891/91 Davenport @ 62,500

Cassville Car Ferry across the Mississippi River at Cassville, WI

WI Side: (Satellite)

IA Side: (Satellite)

Gustavo Melges, Oct 2025

I most of the photos I saw, it was pretty full. But maybe being full is rare and that is why the photo was taken.

S.S.K, Jul 2023

They pile gravel on a boat ramp, and then place a metal platform across the gravel for the ramp to rest on.

Jennifer Hagen, Jun 2018

A photo taken from the LST 325.

Tracy Fishnick, Jun 2024

I've seen groups of motorcycles and old cars in some photos. I guess even tractors go cruising the scenic byways.

Photo, May 2025

Sometimes it is far from full.

Gustavo Melges, Oct 2025

This gives new meaning to the phrase "travelling band."

Photo, May 2025

The ferry was docked when the satellite flew over.

Satellite

A sign bolted on the side of the ferry.

Troy Johnson, Sep 2020

Charles Sade, Jul 2025

Another sign had the words "CASH ONLY."

While they are closed during the winter, they must be helping with ferry service at Lansing, IA. Those are the new and old Black Hawk Bridges. The original plan was to close the old bridge after then new one was built. But they discovered that constructing the piles for the new bridge was disturbing the foundation of the old bridge. So they closed and removed the old bridge a year or so before the new one would open. Thus the need for a ferry service at Lansing, IA. I wonder what ferry they are going to use when the Cassville should open in May 2026.

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