Wanted - explanation of "Pools".

[Gary Rauch]

I'm from Pa and unfamiliar with your term "Pools". I'm guessing this refers to sections of the river.

Is there a wed site that shows/explains these Pools ?

[JIvers]

The Mississippi River by the late thirties was more or less in its present condition, with a series of locks and dams in place, beginning at the Cities and ending at St. Louis. The pools we refer to are the sections of river between each lock and dam. The first lock and dam at Coon Rapids is Lock and Dam # 1, the second lock and dam at Hastings is Lock and Dam # 2, and so on. The pools, or sections of river, are named after the lock and dam on the downstream end of them, not the dam above them. So, the river between Lock and Dam # 1 and # 2 is known as Pool # 2, for instance.

Going along with the term pool is the way the lock and dam system affects the river. Each pool is obviously still part of the river with current and all, but the lock and dam system, the levees, and other man-made projects have deeply changed the Mississippi from what it was 150 years ago.

[Gary Rauch]

Thanks EyeHunter, that explains alot. Here in Pa we just use the closest Town/City to identity each area.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Welcome to FishingMinnesota.com and HotSpotOutdoors.. Even though we are mostly a midwest page, I am sure you will be able to adapt many things to your area as well... kick your shoes off and stay a while. Join in on any of the pages!

[PierBridge]

[PierBridge]

[hanson]

I've always been confused on where Pool 1 technically starts.

Is it St. Anthony Falls to Lock & Dam #1 (Ford Dam)?

Is it like your map shows PierBridge with the north end of the pool at I-694 (I assume thats where that cut off is).

But that would include a couple pools IMO.

Is the Pool from St. Anthony Falls to CR Dam Pool 1/2??

Are the pools defined by navigational water only (barge traffic)?

Just curious if anyone has any thoughts...

I guess the point is, its all good flathead cat water.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Hanson. I've always wondered that, too. Being that there is a lock at St. Anthony Falls and another just downstream, it confuses me. Oh well, I guess.

[Guest]

Ok.. here is the clarification.. and I dont know why its labeled this way.

Pool 1 starts at Coon Rapids dam and goes to the Ford dam.. The Ford dam is considered lock and dam #1.. WHY? I have no idea, but that is what it is. There are 2 lock and dams above the ford dam. The Upper, and Lower St Anthony Falls lock and dams.

The water above the Ford dam is pool #1, below the for to Hastings is Pool #2, Hastings to Redwing #3, South of Red Wing #4 and so on..

I am not sure why its considered pool 1 above the St Anthony dams.. it may be that way just to simplify navigation charts. The maintained river channel (dredged for commercial) ends just south of 694.

I dont know if I clarified anything.. but that is how it is for those who are confused.

For the original question.. yes, a *pool* is an area between locks/dams that are navigated by commercial traffic.