University of MN AIS Research Center - June 8, 2018

Staff from the University of MN will be at the M State Campus in Detroit Lakes on Friday, June 8, 2018 from 9:15 - 3:00.  They will give an overview of their work on various aquatic invasive species, discuss the Detectors and Trackers program, and the impacts of zebra mussels and spiny waterflea on Mille Lacs Lake.

The event is free of charge and lunch will be provided.  We encourage you to register with us by calling (218) 846-0436 or emailing at prwdinfo@arvig.net (for planning purposes).

We are excited to be hosting this event and hope that many of you will be able to join us for this informational day.

Public Hearing - Thursday, May 24, 2018 5:00 PM

Thre will be a Preliminary Hearing on the Resolution to initiate Project to Impound Waters of Becker County Ditch 13 at the offices of the District at 211 Holmes Street West, Suite 201, Detroit Lakes, MN on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 5:00 PM.

Click here for complete notice

Resolution to initiate project to impound Waters of Becker County Ditch 13

The Board of Mangers at their March 15, 2018 meeting initiated a project to impound waters of Becker County Ditch 13 on the Rice Lake wetland to reduce phosphorus loadings and algal blooms on downstream lakes (Detroit, Muskrat, Sallie and Melissa).  Please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions.

  Resolution to Impound waters of Becker County Ditch 13

Flowering Rush Treatments -2017

The chemical treatments for Flowering Rush on area lakes are complete for the the 2017 season.  If you would like to see where each lake was treated, please click on the link to the various lakes.

Detroit Lake

Curfman Lake

Lake Sallie

Lake Melissa

District Awarded $1.5 million in Clean Water Funds

May 25, 2016 - The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) announced a third round of Clean Water Fund grants to help six local governments from around the state.  Pelican River Watershed District will receive $1.5 million to help reduce phosphorus loading to the watershed by 50%.

  To read full release - click here.

The Board of Soil and Water Resources (BWSR) highlighted the project in their October Snapshot.

Notice of Decision to Revise & Update the PRWD Water Management Plan

The Pelican River Watershed District adopted a resolution on April 21, 2016 requiring the update and revision of the Pelican River Watershed Management Plan, as authorized under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103D.405, the Watershed District Statute.

The plan will be focused on priority water management concerns,  The Pelican River Watershed District invites all recipients of this notice to submit water management issues they feel the plan should focus on.

Also, please submit any water and related land resources plans and official controls to the name below so that they can be reviewed to ensure consistency with the Watershed Management Plan.

Please submit the requested information by June 1, 2016 or direct inquiries to:

Tera Guetter, Administrator

211 Holmes St. West, Suite 201

Detroit Lakes, MN 56501                 218-846-0436 or tera.guetter@arvig.net

Lake Sallie Bulrush Pilot Project report

The Pelican River Watershed, along with Mississippi State University, began a pilot project in 2015 on Lake Sallie to study the effects of chemically treating the invasive Flowering rush within a stand of native Hardstem Bulrush.  The reduction of the Flowering rush was quite impressive. After review of the data, it appears that there was little to no damage to the native Bulrush, and in the treatment area, the Bulrush population acutally increased after the flowering rush was treated.  See the full report below.

Hardstem Bulrush Pilot Study - Final Report

MN Buffer Initiative

Governor Mark Dayton's landmark buffer initiative was signed into law this year. The law establishes new perennial vegetation buffers of up to 50 feet along rivers, streams, and ditches that will help filter out phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment. The new law provides flexibility and financial support for landowners to install and maintain buffers, and boost compliance with buffer laws across Minnesota.

The DNR's role in Minnesota's new buffer law is to produce maps of public waters and ditch systems that require permanent vegetation buffers. The DNR is scheduled to produce these maps by July 2016.

Click here for more information

Buffer Fact Sheet