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Independent regulatory commissions

St. Louis River Hydroelectric Project Recreational Flow Release Annual Report

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The St. Louis River Hydroelectric Project, operated by Minnesota Power (MP), has submitted its annual report to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The report documents the recreational releases at the Scanlon Hydroelectric Development to accommodate downstream rafting. According to the report, recreational flow releases are provided when the flow in the St. Louis River at Scanlon falls below 1,000 cfs, with additional flow released at the request of the raft concession operator. The report also notes that consultation with the raft concession operators is mainly done via telephone communication, with each call documented in a log.

Key Takeaways:

  • The St. Louis River Hydroelectric Project is operated by Minnesota Power (MP) and is required to submit an annual report to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
  • Recreational flow releases are provided from the Scanlon Hydroelectric Development when the flow in the St. Louis River at Scanlon falls below 1,000 cfs.
  • The additional flow is released at the request of the raft concession operator, with consultation primarily done via telephone communication.
  • The MP Hydro Operator allows the Scanlon pond elevation to increase gradually over a period of several hours by slightly reducing the flow, with a maximum ramp rate of 125 cfs per 6 hours.
  • The operator determines discharge amounts to ensure that the pond elevation remains within the allowable range throughout the event sequence.
  • No recreational releases were requested by the raft concession operators in 2025.

Statistics:

  • The flow in the St. Louis River at Scanlon must fall below 1,000 cfs to trigger recreational flow releases.
  • The maximum ramp rate for increasing pond elevation is 125 cfs per 6 hours.
  • The maximum ramp rate for decreasing flow after a recreational flow release is 125 cfs per hour.
  • No recreational releases were requested by the raft concession operators in 2025.

Sources:

  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (2008, October 14). Order Amending License and Approving Operating Plan for the St. Louis River Hydroelectric Project No. 2360.
  • Minnesota Power. (2013, October 28). Annual Recreational Flow Release Report.
  • Minnesota Power. (2025). St. Louis River Hydroelectric Project Recreational Flow Release Annual Report. ( Attended document)

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