What’s Inside Minnesota’s Famous Water Towers?

Towering over towns big and small, Minnesota’s water towers have become some of the most recognizable landmarks in the state. But while we’ve all seen the outside, a newly resurfaced video is giving Minnesotans a rare look at what’s actually hiding inside those giant tanks in the sky.

No matter where you go here in the North Star State, when you first set foot inside a city or town, chances are there's a water tower there to greet you. And while we're known for our 10,000 Lakes, here in Minnesota, we're also well known for our many unique water towers.

Minnesota Is Home to Some Truly Unique Water Towers

First and foremost, there's our own famous ear of corn water tower right here in Rah-Rah-Rochester, even though it doesn't hold water anymore. Then there's the teapot water tower in Lindstrom. The fishing bobber water tower in Pequot Lakes. And let's not forget about the Ogilvie water tower, which resembles a medieval castle.

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Overall, the website Minnesota Water Towers-- yes, it's a site devoted entirely to Minnesota's many unique water towers-- says there are 1,080 water towers or reservoirs scattered throughout our state. The Minnesota Water Towers Instagram page has pictures of many of them...

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How Much Water Does a Typical Minnesota Water Tower Hold?

We've seen the outside of them many times. But have you ever seen what they look like inside? I'd always just assumed, I guess, that water towers here in Minnesota were pretty much just huge tanks, filled with water-- kind of like a massive, elevated swimming pool.

According to HowStuffWorks, that part is true. While an average in-ground backyard swimming pool usually has a capacity of around 20,000 to 30,000 gallons (that's a LOT of water), a typical municipal water tower will likely hold closer to a million gallons (that's REALLY a lot of water!)

Video Shows What the Inside of a Water Tower Really Looks Like

But there's more to most towers than you'd think. And thanks to this insightful video produced by the city of Bloomington a few years ago, we can now see just exactly what it looks like inside a typical Minnesota water tower, and how they actually work.

Then, speaking of water, keep scrolling to check out some of Minnesota's *other* water features-- those incredibly scenic waterfalls that are also scattered across the state!