The Pelican River Watershed District has initiated a project to modify Buck’s Mill Dam, located on the Pelican River between Mill Pond and Buck Lake near Detroit Lakes. The dam will be modified to include a natural-looking rock spillway structure. The downstream township culvert through Bucks Mill Drive will also be replaced as part of this project. The planned modifications will restore fish migration routes and enhance the overall ecology of the Pelican River, with no impacts to seasonal water levels in Mill Pond and Buck Lake unchanged.

Area Improvements 

The Buck’s Mill Dam modification project will offer several long-term benefits, including restoring the local ecosystem, enhancing fish passage to support native species (including Lake Sturgeon, Walleye and others), and addressing potential safety concerns for public use. 

This project is part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Reconnect the Red initiative which aims to remove barriers for fish to migrate. Since 2002, 50 of the 79 major fish barriers in the Red River Basin have been modified, restoring fish access to vital spawning areas. These efforts are restoring migration pathways for over 70 fish species and other aquatic life, supporting the recovery of Lake Sturgeon and creating a healthier ecosystem in the region.

Other Reconnect the Red dam modification projects include Dunton Locks, Pelican Rapids and others nearby.  

How Water Levels and “Runout Elevations” Are Maintained

Water flows sequentially through area lakes, guided by culverts and the dam. Each lake has a “runout elevation,” or the elevation at which water begins to flow downstream from the lake, into the river. Runout elevations impact how low the seasonal water levels can drop. For example, Buck’s Mill Dam determines the runout elevation for Mill Pond. This is why the new natural-looking, rock spillway structure must be designed at the same runout elevation as the existing Buck’s Mill Dam.

Water flow through the river system results in natural fluctuations of water levels. Lake water elevation is influenced by lake size and shape; watershed size, shape, and characteristics; and seasonal precipitation. Certain lake water levels will “bounce” more than others, due to unique combinations of these factors. The amount of water flowing in the Pelican River is affected by lake levels and may vary across the landscape.

While the new rock spillway structure will look different than Buck’s Mill Dam, it will continue to preserve the seasonal water levels as required by Minnesota Statute and Rule.

For more information about water levels, visit the MnDNR Lake Finder

In the chain of lakes upstream of Buck’s Mill Dam, the size of each lake compared to its contributing watershed area affects how lake levels rise and fall. Smaller lakes may see quicker changes, while larger ones may have a slower, more gradual response. Lake level response is also affected by drainage area size. The larger the drainage area, the more water typically reaches the lake. A relatively small lake with a large drainage area may be more responsive or “bouncy” than a similar sized lake with a smaller drainage area.

The Buck’s Mill Dam modification will not affect seasonal water levels in Lake Melissa and Mill Pond.  By modifying the dam with a rock spillway the project ensures similar flow while allowing fish to migrate and provides safe access for residents and visitors.

For more information about the Buck’s Mill Dam modification project, visit the Pelican River Watershed website or the Buck’s Mill Dam Story Map.