Pool One, Mississippi River Overall Fastest Known Paddle: 1H 7M

Frank Bures, 53 years old, Minneapolis

5 miles

(this is also the fastest solo male FKP)

Unsupported

Start: Beach at north end of Bohemian Flats, 10:34am Minneapolis, Minnesota May 11th, 2025

Finish: Ford Parkway Bridge, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota 11:41am May 11th, 2025

Boat Used: Wenonah Vagabond solo canoe

Trackers used: Garmin Forerunner 235

The DNR has maps of the Mississippi from the headwaters to Hastings; this route starts with the last bit of map 9 and ends on map 10:

Map 9- Elk River to Minneapolis

Map 10-Minneapolis to Hastings website

Frank paddling bio: Frank has paddled in the Mississippi River 150 (the MR 150), the MR 48 (see twopaddles.org for more info), and is the author of Pushing the River: An Epic Battle, a Lost History, a Near Death, and Other True Canoeing Stories

Trip Report from Frank Bures:

Goals: I wanted to establish this route as an accessible, competitive section of the Mississippi River for FKPs, with historic importance. This section lies in the only true “Gorge” on the Mississippi River, and is part of the National Park System. Pool 1 was created in 1917 with the completion of Lock and Dam No. 1. During the 450-mile Paul Bunyan Canoe Derby, it was the scene of the final sprint. Most years the sprint started at University Flats on the east bank and finished at the Franklin Bridge. In 1949, however, the sprint went from University Flats to the Ford Parkway Bridge at Lock and Dam No. 1. More on all that in my book, “Pushing the River: An Epic Battle, a Lost History, a Near Death, and Other True Canoeing Stories.”


Conditions: Poor. The temperature was warm, but there was a sustained south wind of 15-16 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph. There were very few other boats on the water, though this section is often popular with crewing teams. Water flow was around 17,000 cfs or below, which is on the low end of medium flow. Water moved slightly faster in upper section, and the wind was slightly weaker, though still with 1-2 foot waves mid-channel. The south section widens out, had no noticeable flow, there were and 2-3 foot waves breaking northward with whitecaps.

Report: I dropped a bike and canoe trailer at the intersection of 42nd St. and the West River Parkway, where the takeout for this part of the river is. Then I drove to Bohemian Flats Park, and put in at the small beach on the north end of the park. Once on the water, I passed the Minneapolis Queen riverboat, which was about to embark on a Mother’s Day Cruise. I went under the Washington Avenue Bridge (and thought briefly of John Berryman) then around the bend to the Paul Bunyan Canoe Derby sprint start. (See photos) The Wind seemed to be coming directly  from the southeast in this section. I tried paddling in the middle, but the 1-2-foot waves were not conducive to speed, so I veered right to where the water was calmer. I passed under the Franklin Bridge, then the Short Line Bridge. Near the three-mile mark, I cut close to the University of Minnesota Boathouse and under the Lake Street Bridge. This is were the river veers directly south, and the wind was much stronger, with waves in the 3-foot range. I made for the St. Paul side to see if it was at all sheltered. But about half way across I started having flashbacks, and decided to sacrifice speed for safety and returned to the west side, where I continued to the Ford Parkway Bridge. Near the shore, I saw a hummingbird flying low over the water. At the Ford Parkway Bridge, I passed under the western/right side arch which leads to Lock No. 1.  The other two arches are blocked off by buoyed cables.

Notes: The bar on this FKP is low, given the conditions. I expect it to be broken soon, but I was glad to have established it. The only advice I have is to watch out for rowers, and to stay veer right when you pass under the Ford Parkway Bridge.