Under the streets of Duluth, unbeknownst to many Minnesotans, you can find a web of hauntingly beautiful streams buried in tunnels of brick and stone. The solution during the development of the city was to take the dozens of local streams that wound their way to Lake Superior and simply redirect them underneath the infrastructure. It’s something that we see in many other locations, but never quite as spectacular as we see in Duluth.

Once in a while the drainage system is brought to our attention, usually following a massive flood (like in 1972 and 2012), but typically the massive tunnels are just serving their purpose, unnoticed by most, despite their epic proportions and in many cases, masterful stone-masonry. Exploring the depths of these tunnels is no doubt an amazing, albeit creepy experience.

The tunnel through which Chester Creek flows has some of the most spectacular masonry.
Dan Turner
Dan Turner
Miller Creek Drain is absolutely massive. It's crazy to think that there are such huge spaces beneath the city streets.
Dan Turner
Dan Turner
Brewery Creek looks eerily beautiful under a brick ceiling.
Dan Turner

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This Brewery Creek waterfall might just make you change your idea of a beautiful view.
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The light and lake at the end of the tunnel.
Dan Turner
Flickr/Sharon Mollerus
Just remember every time you walk over a sewer lid like this, there might be something as historic and massive as these tunnels underneath. Are you catching the urban exploration bug yet?
Dan Turner

Have you ever noticed all the streams that disappear below ground in Duluth before? Tell us if you would be scared to explore the tunnels in the comments.

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