Hennepin Island Hydroelectric Plant, Hydroelectric power station at St. Anthony Falls, Minneapolis, United States
Hennepin Island Hydroelectric Plant is a power station located on the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls, using the river's natural water flow to produce electricity. The facility contains five generating units housed within a substantial industrial brick structure built directly on an island in the river.
The plant was designed in the early 1900s by William de la Barre, an Austrian-born engineer, as part of Minneapolis industrial expansion. It became part of the region's shift toward harnessing the water power available at St. Anthony Falls for urban energy needs.
The facility stands as a National Register of Historic Places contributing property within the St. Anthony Falls Historic District, representing industrial engineering excellence.
The site is located on an island with public walkways that offer views of the falls and surrounding landscape. Visitors can observe the exterior of the facility and the river's flow, which is most impressive during periods of higher water level.
The facility shares Hennepin Island with Water Power Park, where visitors can explore exhibits about local hydroelectric history and industrial heritage. The park includes educational displays and information stations that explain how the falls powered Minneapolis industrial development.
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