Lock and Dam No. 1, Lock and dam structure on Mississippi River in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, United States

Lock and Dam No. 1 is a navigation structure with two locks that allow vessels to pass through different water levels on the Mississippi River between Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The facility also includes a powerhouse with turbines that generate electricity for regional distribution.

The structure was completed in 1917 and established a consistent water depth that enabled commercial shipping between the two cities. It marked a major step in connecting the upper and lower Mississippi River regions by waterway.

The site is known locally as Ford Dam because the Ford Motor Company once used hydroelectric power generated here to run their assembly plant downstream. This connection between water power and early industrial production remains part of the area's local identity.

A public observation deck is open from April through November where you can watch vessels passing through the locks. The site is easily accessible by car and offers parking for visitors.

The four turbines here generate substantial amounts of electricity annually for regional distribution. This hydroelectric system remains active today and continues supporting the area's power supply.