History of Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory
 The Laboratory was established in 1938 mainly through the efforts and dedication of Lorenz G. Straub, its founder and first director. The structure is located on Hennepin Island at the head of St. Anthony Falls in the heart of Minneapolis. Improvements and expansions have evolved the building into five floors, two of which are above the headwater pool of the Mississippi River. The Laboratory is designed to operate by diversion of water from the Mississippi River headpool. This arrangement is unique in that virtually all of the Laboratory space for experimental purposes is below the headwater level of the river in order to use the natural power of the falls.
Researchers at SAFL have been developing solutions to the major problems in hydraulic engineering and water resources for well over 60 years. Early research included model studies of some of the world's largest engineering feats of this century, such as Mangla Dam in West Pakistan, Priest Rapids and Wanapum Dams on the Columbia River and Guri Dam in Venezuela. As the era of dam building has been replaced with dam removal, restoration, and environmental concerns, SAFL has remained on the cutting edge.
Past Directors of SAFL
Image for Lecy |
