Water shapes life in the Pelican River Watershed. It connects our lakes, streams, wetlands, and communities, and it supports everything from recreation and wildlife to agriculture and local economies. For more than 50 years, the Pelican River Watershed District has been working behind the scenes to protect these shared water resources and help ensure they remain healthy for generations to come.

Managing 120 Square Miles

The Pelican River Watershed District manages water resources across approximately 120 square miles in Becker and Otter Tail Counties. This area includes the upper reaches of the Pelican River, which eventually flows into the Otter Tail River and then the Red River of the North. Within the watershed are 52 named lakes, numerous wetlands, and more than 50 miles of streams, all part of one connected system.

Because water does not follow city or county boundaries, the District takes a watershed-based approach. This means looking at how activities upstream affect conditions downstream and making decisions that reflect how natural systems actually work. It is a practical and science-based way to solve complex water challenges in a lake rich region like this one.

How the District Got Its Start

The Pelican River Watershed District was formed during a time when many Minnesota lakes were struggling. By the mid 1900s, increased shoreline development, agriculture, and tourism had put pressure on water quality. Residents began noticing algae blooms, excessive aquatic plants, and changes that made lakes less enjoyable for recreation.

Local lake groups and community leaders recognized that addressing lake issues one shoreline at a time was not enough. They pushed for a coordinated approach that could look at the full picture, including land use, drainage patterns, and upstream influences. In the mid 1960s, after changes to Minnesota law made it possible to define lakes and their contributing lands as watersheds, the Pelican River Watershed District was officially established. It was one of the first watershed districts in the state organized under the amended law.

The District’s Purpose Today

Today, the mission of the Pelican River Watershed District is to enhance the quality of water in the lakes within its jurisdiction. Achieving that goal means carefully managing lakes, streams, wetlands, groundwater, and the land resources that affect them.

PRWD is a special unit of government established under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 103D. While that statute provides a broad set of authorities to plan, regulate, and implement water resource projects, the District’s primary focus is on protecting and improving water quality. This structure allows the District to move beyond short term fixes and focus on long term solutions guided by science, data, and community input.

How the Work Gets Done

The District is governed by a seven-member Board of Managers, each appointed by the Becker County Board of Commissioners to represent a portion of the watershed. The Board sets policy and direction for the District and helps guide priorities and decision making.

Day to day operations are supported by professional staff who manage permitting, monitoring, education and outreach, and administration. The District also works closely with engineering, legal, and financial partners to support projects and ensure public resources are managed responsibly.

Planning with Partners

Collaboration is central to PRWD’s work. The District is an active partner in watershed wide planning efforts, including participation in the Otter Tail Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan through Minnesota’s One Watershed, One Plan program. This plan brings together counties, watershed districts, and soil and water conservation districts to set shared goals and align efforts across the region. Approved in 2023, it now serves as an important guide for coordinated water management in the years ahead.

Additionally, the District works in close partnership with city and county governments throughout the watershed. These relationships help align local planning, development, and infrastructure decisions with long-term water quality goals. By coordinating on permitting, sharing information, and working together on projects, PRWD and its local government partners can address issues more consistently and effectively across jurisdictional lines. This collaboration helps ensure that growth and land use changes support, rather than undermine, the health of lakes, rivers, and wetlands.

Projects You Can See on the Ground

PRWD’s work shows up in many ways across the watershed. One of the most visible current efforts is the Buck’s Mill Dam Modification project. The project focuses on improving lake and river ecology, supporting safe recreation, and preserving seasonal water levels in nearby lakes. PRWD has made a point to share clear, accessible information about how the project works and what it means for the community.

The District also supports shoreline improvement through its cost share incentive program, helping landowners plant trees, shrubs, and native vegetation that protect water quality and reduce runoff. Ongoing monitoring efforts track lake and stream conditions and help identify and prioritize projects, while education and outreach programs help residents better understand how individual actions connect to watershed health. PRWD has also partnered with researchers to better understand swimmer’s itch, aquatic invasive species management, and other water related issues affecting local lakes.

A Shared Responsibility

The Pelican River Watershed District exists because people care deeply about their lakes and rivers. For decades, the District has provided a forum for long term planning, science-based decisions, and collaboration across communities.

As conditions change and new challenges emerge, PRWD remains committed to working with residents, partners, and local governments to protect and improve the waters that define this place. Healthy water is a shared responsibility, and in the Pelican River Watershed, it is a shared commitment.

Caring for our waters takes all of us. Learn more about PRWD’s work and how you can be part of keeping the Pelican River Watershed healthy for generations to come by visiting our website.