Listen: The mysterious wall that holds St. Anthony Falls in place

The Curious Minnesota podcast explores the questions being raised about a 145-year-old wall located deep beneath the Mississippi River.

October 13, 2021 at 2:58PM
A 2017 view of the St. Anthony Falls spillway, also known as the apron. (Glen Stubbe, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

St. Anthony Falls has long been one of Minneapolis' top attractions, particularly since it powered the factories that made the city into a milling hub.

But the endurance of the falls is due to some complex infrastructure designed to halt erosion. A key component of that infrastructure is a hidden wall — buried beneath the river — that has protected the falls for roughly 145 years.

Little is known about the wall's condition, however. River historian John Anfinson believes there needs to be a comprehensive study of the structure's status.

Anfinson is the former superintendent of the national park comprising the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities. He joined the Curious Minnesota podcast to discuss this mysterious wall.

Further reading:

about the writer

about the writer

Eric Roper

Curious Minnesota Editor

Eric Roper oversees Curious Minnesota, the Minnesota Star Tribune's community reporting project fueled by great reader questions. He also hosts the Curious Minnesota podcast.

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