Today, the Twin Cities are home to almost three million people and are expected to gain another million in the next few decades. Such an expanding area naturally demands a high level of energy production to satisfy both industrial and domestic needs. An issue with power production in the Twin Cities, however, is the potential impact it could have on the river - the crucial water body on which people depend for drinking water and commercial trade.
Residential development is almost synonymous with urbanization. Although urbanization includes all types of development, such as large industry, small businesses, and energy development, residential development is the backbone of urbanization. Transportation is another critical component of urban settlements. Focusing on the recent failure of the Interstate 35W bridge provides an interesting case study of past, present, and future interaction between the river, transportation systems, and urbanization.
Image Source: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1211