The main reservoir behind Pokegama is located to the south of the main Mississippi River channel. The Ojibwa coined the name Pokegama to mean the water that juts off from another water. Prior to the dam, Pokegama lake was mostly swamp described by locals as a vast region of wild rice. Below the lake was a series of falls. The Pokegama dam was built in a narrows just above a smaller falls. A larger 10 foot drop was covered with water when the paper mill dam opened just down stream. This area of rough water was known as the Grand Rapids of the Mississippi River.
There is a very nice park and recreation area located around the dam. The dam itself has a walkway that is open to the public that allows you to walk across the river on the dam structure.
The photo above is a view of the dam from the south end of the structure. All six movable gates are open to allow spring run-off water to pass through the structure. The photo below is a profile view of the dam site as seen from the parking lot. The BNSF rail bridge over the Mississippi River at Cohasset is visible in the background near the right edge of the photo.
