Pine River Reservoir Dam, Cross Lake, Crow Wing County, MN

Significance: The Pine River Dam is one of six Mississippi River Headwaters Reservoirs dam sites that are historically significant for their association with navigation, commerce, tourism, the Ojibway Indians, and U.S. Indian policy in Minnesota in the late 19th century. By providing a consistent flow of water throughout the navigation season, the Pine River Dam enhanced navigation and aided in the commercial development of the Upper Mississippi River and the surrounding region. The dam site was also one of the earliest non-Indian settlements in the region and by the late 19th century was attracting some of the first tourists to the area. The Mississippi Headwaters project precipitated a century-long conflict between the tribe and the U.S. government over the damages resulting from the inundation of tribal lands and property.
Survey number: HAER MN-68
Building/structure dates: 1884- ca. 1886 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1905- ca. 1907 Subsequent Work