ST. PAUL, Minn. – Although the Upper Mississippi shipping season usually ends when locks begin icing up, four locks this year have definite shut-down dates for repairs. The Army Corps, which operates the locks, announced this schedule:
> Lower St. Anthony Falls, Minneapolis: Closing to commercial and recreational vessels November 1.
> Lock and Dam 1, Minneapolis: November 1.
> Lock and Dam 3, Welch (Red Wing): December 5.
> Locks and Dam 4, Alma: December 5.
The plan is to reopen the locks March 12, the Corps said. On average the whole Upper Mississippi shipping season begins March 21 when the ice yields on Lake Pepin.