In 1898, plans began to form to build a hydroelectric power generation dam near Coon Rapids, Minnesota.

[1] While originally conceived as a private venture, in 1911 Congress approved federal funding for the dam to make it a joint private-public operation.

In November 1913, after construction started, the St. Anthony Falls Commercial Club lobbied for Congress to add a lock to the dam, with the assistance of U.S. Representative George Ross Smith.

[3]: 115  The lack of a lock makes it the theoretical northernmost navigable point on the Mississippi River; however, since 2015, the Upper St. Anthony Falls lock has been sealed to prevent the spread of Asian carp and as such Saint Anthony Falls in Minneapolis are the current practical limit.

The plant was demolished in 1967, and in 1969 Northern States Power Company donated the dam to the Hennepin County Parks District.

[10] Due to the cost of upkeep, Three Rivers Park District considered selling the dam to the Minnesota Department for Natural Resources in 2010, resulting in a dispute with Anoka County in 2011 which caused Three Rivers Park district to revoke the lease.

The original concrete pilings were wearing away, foundation soil was eroding, and many of the twenty-eight wooden and metal gates were broken and twisted as a result of ice.

[2] The pool is around 600 acres, with the effects of the dam diminishing after the Ferry Street bridge in Champlin, about six miles upstream.

Many species, including mink, beaver, hawks, osprey, deer, turtles and river otters, can be spotted in the parks.

Panoramic views of the river are offered on the dam's walkway, connecting the two parks for cyclists and walkers.