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Spring is almost here, and NHA is traveling to Minneapolis, Minnesota, from April 29 – April 30, 2025, for the Midwest Regional Meeting, co-hosted with the Midwest Hydro Users Group (MHUG). The Midwest Regional Meeting is an excellent opportunity for water power professionals to connect and learn alongside one another.
The Midwest Meeting will take place at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which is located in the heart of the city. Hosted by MHUG, as well as tour hosts Dominium, ECI, University of Minnesota’s St. Anthony’s Falls Laboratory, and Xcel Energy; the meeting is supported by 14 national organizations.
NHA’s Midwest Regional Meeting provides a forum to address regional issues and location-specific challenges, as well as exploring topics top-of-mind for the Midwestern water power community.
The view of the Minneapolis skyline and Missouri River.
TOUR INFORMATION
For this year’s Midwest Regional Meeting, attendees have an exciting tour opportunity with fours stops awaiting them! With a max capacity of 120 people, interested attendees can sign up for a tour when registering for the Midwest Regional Meeting; spots fill fast, so sign up quick!
Following lunch at the hotel on Tuesday, April 29, attendees will be able to dive-in to the tour, which begins right in the center of Minneapolis. From 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM CT, attendees will transported by bus to learn more about Minnesota’s rich hydropower history, as well as the innovations and research shaping its current growth.
The tour concludes at 5:30 PM on April 29, and it is followed by a networking reception, ensuring attendees the opportunity to connect and grow alongside peers.
Read on to learn more about the highlights on this year’s tour.
St. Anthony Falls
Water power development at St. Anthony Falls dates back to the 1820s, beginning with the construction of a sawmill and flour mill along the river’s west side. By the 1850s, the St. Anthony Falls Water Power Company (east side of the river) and the Minneapolis Mill Company (west side of the river) were established to regulate water power rights on the respective sides of the riverbanks.
Hydroelectric generation at the site commenced in 1882, with the Main Street plant operating from 1895 to 1968, and the Hennepin Island plant, which began in 1908, continuing operations under Xcel Energy. The site has undergone significant structural modifications over time, including the construction of the Horseshoe Dam in the mid-19th century and various erosion control measures, culminating in the installation of a concrete apron in 1952.
Today, Xcel Energy manages several hydropower facilities, including the 13.9 MW Hennepin Island Hydro Plant / Hennepin Island Hydro Plant and associated infrastructure such as the Main Street Dam and Horseshoe Dam.
The Waterpower Park on Hennepin Island is located in the heart of the St. Anthony Falls and east bank milling district, this small park has great views of the falls. Interpretive panels describe the re-engineering of the falls from a natural cascade into one harnessed for industry.
The Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam contains several subterranean features at the site, including tunnels and a concrete cutoff wall across the entire river under the dam; the Upper St, Anthony Falls Lock and Dam were completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1963.
Visitors will have the opportunity to visit the following:
- 13.9 MW Hennepin Island Hydro Plant / Lower St. Anthony Falls Hydro Generating Station
- 1.4 acre Waterpower Park on Hennepin Island
- Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam
St. Anthony Falls Laboratory
The St. Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL) is an interdisciplinary fluid mechanics research lab and educational facility. As part of the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering, SAFL fosters interdisciplinary collaboration across hydrology, environmental restoration, and hydropower research. Situated along the Mississippi River in the heart of Minneapolis, SAFL serves as a resource for departments across the Twin Cities campus.
Visitors to the lab will gain insight into ongoing advancements while also exploring the lab’s connection to the history of St. Anthony Falls, as well as learning more about how SAFL’s research integrates physical experiments, numerical modeling, and field studies to address challenges in water power and fluid dynamics.
The Pillsbury A-Mill
The Pillsbury A-Mill, once the world’s largest flour mill, represents a significant chapter in the history of U.S. water power innovation. Built in 1881 on the east bank of the Mississippi River, the mill harnessed hydropower, operating two of the most powerful direct-drive waterwheels (each capable of generating 1,200 horsepower or 895 kW) of its time.
Over the decades, the site has contributed to the broader legacy of St. Anthony Falls as a hub for energy and engineering advancements. A recent Design-Build project transformed the site into a 600-kW run-of-river hydroelectric facility, seamlessly integrating historic preservation with contemporary renewable energy technology.
The project involved extensive structural rehabilitation, including intake restoration, tunnel reinforcement, and the installation of a new Kaplan turbine and generator. This adaptive reuse of 19th-century hydropower infrastructure highlights the enduring potential of water power in the U.S. energy landscape, offering a model for redevelopment that balances historical preservation with modern efficiency.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you’re interested in attending NHA’s Midwest Regional Meeting, check out the event site here for details on hotel accommodations, registration rates, a schedule of events, and the meeting agenda.
If you need additional assistance, please reach out to Ellie Rubalow, Events Specialist at NHA, for more information (ellie@hydro.org).
