Lower Otter Tail River Restoration

The Otter Tail River watershed encompasses approximately 1,952 square miles of drainage from Clearwater, Becker, Otter Tail, and Wilkin Counties. The river outlets in the City of Breckenridge, MN, where its confluence with the Bois de Sioux River forms the headwaters of the Red River of the North. For planning and resource purposes, the expansive watershed area has been broken into “upper” and “lower” portions around easily identifiable boundaries. The lower portion extends from the outlet of the river in Breckenridge to the Orwell reservoir in Otter Tail County.

The Lower Otter Tail River was channelized in the 1950s by the Army Corps of Engineers to reduce the footprint of the river for agriculture and to increase the speed of runoff. 18 miles of river was reduced to 11.4 miles with 21 oxbows removed from the river. An additional 6 oxbows were disconnected prior to the Army Corps project. This channelization has reduced habitat diversity and quality and contributed to impaired water quality.

Project proposes to restore 18 miles of channel in Sections 27, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34, Foxhome Township and Sections 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, and 27, Sunnyside Township Wilkin County. Proposed project will restore a naturally stable river, reduce sediment loading, improve habitat within and along the river, and maintain flood protection. Due the extent of the proposed project, BRRWD intends to complete restoration in phases.