For more than 140 years, a massive concrete wall has held the famous St. Anthony Falls together. It is located deep beneath the Mississippi River. It protects Minneapolis' water supply, and helps to ensure that the river doesn’t damage bridges or other infrastructure.
The condition of the wall is still largely unknown. Some river experts and politicians now call for closer inspection, as they fear that the wall's aging structure might collapse.
John Anfinson is a prominent Mississippi River historian and has been raising awareness about the problem. It is serious. "We don't know."
Problem is that the wall, which is hidden in the sandstone below the riverbed, is difficult to access. It is not clear who is responsible; none of those most closely associated to the falls believe they are.
The wall is roughly three stories high and prevents the collapse of a limestone riverbed slab. The wall was built after a major disaster in Minneapolis history: a tunneling project that went wrong nearly destroyed the falls in 1869.
The wall, also known as the cutoff wall or the wall in danger, has not been confirmed. It is visible in the majority of its area, with the exception of an area where it intersects old tunnels.
Anfinson tried to notify public officials about this issue before the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which constructed the wall exits to the area after the lock & dam were closed to navigation in 2015.
Officials from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and U.S. Rep. Ilhan Ommar have been interested in the issue. They both want the Army Corps's closer examination.
Frey stated, "If history has taught us anything, it is that we must be proactive when dealing with critical pieces of infrastructure such as the cutoff wall."
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The Congressional Research Service is currently investigating the legal process necessary for the corps's analysis of the condition of the wall.
Anfinson has written extensively on the history of the riverfront. Anfinson says he felt obliged to speak out because he is well-versed on the history of the wall. He's also been thinking about the questions that are being asked following the Florida condo collapse in June.
"Who knew when and what?" What did they do? Anfinson stated. "This wall could last another 144 year. How can we tell if it hasn't been thoroughly studied?
Anfinson worked once for the corps. However, he isn't an engineer. Later, he joined the National Park Service and became the superintendent of the National Park that stretches most of the Mississippi River between the Twin Cities. In January, he retired.
Nan Bischoff is a corps project manager. She said that people are raising concerns about something that isn't actively threatening. Bischoff stated that the wall is effectively protected by the surrounding infrastructure and material.
Bischoff stated, "It's going nowhere." "There is no place for it."
