DOCSLIB.ORG

Otter Tail River Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Report

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Otter Tail River Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Report Watershed health May 2019 Otter Tail River Monitoring and Assessment Report The MPCA is reducing printing and mailing costs Authors by using the Internet to distribute reports and Dave Dollinger information to wider audience. Visit our Megan Handt website for more information. Cadie Olson Sophia Vaughan MPCA reports are printed on 100% post- Mark Gernes consumer recycled content paper Andrew Butzer manufactured without chlorine or chlorine Shawn Nelson derivatives. Bruce Monson Contributors/acknowledgements Becker County SWCD Bemidji State University Buffalo Red River Watershed District Citizen Lake Monitoring Program Volunteers Citizen Stream Monitoring Program Volunteers Clearwater County Clearwater County SWCD Headwaters Science Center Interstate Engineering Minnesota Department of Agriculture Minnesota Department of Health Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Otter Tail County Coalition of Lake Associations Pelican River Watershed District Red Lake Watershed District Project dollars provided by the Clean Water Fund Tamarac Interpretive Association (from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment). Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge White Earth Nation Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 520 Lafayette Road North | Saint Paul, MN 55155-4194 | 651-296-6300 | 800-657-3864 | Or use your preferred relay service. | [email protected] This report is available in alternative formats upon request, and online at www.pca.state.mn.us. Document number: wq-ws3-09020103b Contents List of acronyms ................................................................................................................................ vi Executive summary ............................................................................................................................1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................3 The watershed monitoring approach .......................................................................................................... 4 Assessment methodology .......................................................................................................................... 9 Watershed overview ................................................................................................................................ 13 Watershed-wide data collection methodology ......................................................................................... 36 Individual aggregated HUC-12 subwatershed results ......................................................................... 40 Aggregated HUC-12 subwatersheds ......................................................................................................... 40 Headwaters Otter Tail River Aggregated HUC-12 HUC 0902010301-01 ......................................... 41 Upper Otter Tail River Aggregated HUC-12 HUC 0902010302-01 .......................................... 47 Toad River Aggregated HUC-12 HUC 0902010303-01 .......................................... 53 Otter Tail Lake-Otter Tail River Aggregated HUC-12 HUC 0902010306-01 ......................................... 58 Dead River Aggregated HUC-12 HUC 0902010304-01.......................................... 64 West Battle Lake Aggregated HUC-12 HUC 0902010305-01.......................................... 68 Middle Otter Tail River Aggregated HUC-12 HUC 0902010309-01 ......................................... 73 Upper Pelican River Aggregated HUC-12 HUC 0902010307-02 ......................................... 80 Middle Pelican River Aggregated HUC-12 HUC 0902010307-01 ......................................... 87 Lower Pelican River Aggregated HUC-12 HUC 0902010308-01 ......................................... 92 Judicial Ditch No. 2 Aggregated HUC-12 HUC 0902010310-02 ......................................... 97 Lower Otter Tail River Aggregated HUC-12 HUC 0902010310-01 ....................................... 101 Watershed-wide results and discussion .......................................................................................... 105 Stream water quality .............................................................................................................................. 105 Lake water quality .................................................................................................................................. 106 Fish contaminant results ........................................................................................................................ 107 Pollutant load monitoring ...................................................................................................................... 121 Stream flow ........................................................................................................................................... 124 Wetland condition ................................................................................................................................. 125 Transparency trends for the Otter Tail River Watershed ......................................................................... 133 Remote sensing for lakes in the Otter Tail River Watershed .................................................................... 133 Priority Waters for Protection and Restoration in the Otter Tail River Watershed ................................... 135 Summaries and recommendations ................................................................................................. 136 Groundwater Summary and Recommendations ..................................................................................... 139 Literature cited .............................................................................................................................. 140 Appendix 1 – Water chemistry definitions .............................................................................................. 143 i Appendix 2.1 – Intensive watershed monitoring water chemistry stations in the Otter Tail River Watershed .............................................................................................................................................................. 144 Appendix 2.2 – Intensive watershed monitoring biological monitoring stations in the Otter Tail River Watershed ............................................................................................................................................. 145 Appendix 3.1 – Minnesota statewide IBI thresholds and confidence limits .............................................. 146 Appendix 3.2 – Biological monitoring results – fish IBI (assessable reaches) ............................................ 147 Appendix 3.3 – Biological monitoring results-macroinvertebrate IBI (assessable reaches) ....................... 149 Appendix 4.1 – Fish species found during biological monitoring surveys ................................................. 151 Appendix 4.2 – Macroinvertebrate species found during biological monitoring surveys .......................... 153 Appendix 5 – Minnesota Stream Habitat Assessment results .................................................................. 160 Appendix 6 – Lake protection and prioritization results .......................................................................... 162 Appendix 7 – Stream protection and prioritization results ...................................................................... 169 ii Figures Figure 1. The Intensive watershed monitoring design in the Otter Tail River Watershed. .......................... 5 Figure 2. Intensive watershed monitoring sites for streams in the Otter Tail River Watershed. ................. 6 Figure 3. Monitoring locations of local groups, citizens and the MPCA lake monitoring staff in the Otter Tail River Watershed. .................................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 4. Flowchart of aquatic life use assessment process. ...................................................................... 12 Figure 5. The Otter Tail River Watershed within the Lake Agassiz Plain, Northern Lakes and Forest, and North Central Hardwoods ecoregions of western Minnesota. ................................................................... 14 Figure 6. Land use in the Otter Tail River Watershed. ................................................................................ 16 Figure 7. Map of percent altered streams by major watershed (HUC-8). .................................................. 19 Figure 8. Comparison of natural to altered streams in the Otter Tail River Watershed ............................ 20 Figure 9. Statewide precipitation total (left) and precipitation departure (right) during 2016 ................. 20 Figure 10. Precipitation trends in northwest Minnesota from 1997-2016 (top) and 1917-2016 (bottom) (Source: WRCC 2018). ................................................................................................................................. 21 Figure 11. Precipitation trends in west central Minnesota from 1997-2016 (top) and 1917-2016 (bottom) (Source: WRCC 2018). ................................................................................................................................. 22 Figure 12. Groundwater provinces within the Otter Tail River Watershed (GIS Source: DNR 2001). ........ 24 Figure 13. Pollution sensitivity of near surface materials for the Otter Tail River Watershed ..................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Red River of the North “A Winding Journey to History
    RED RIVER OF THE NORTH “A WINDING JOURNEY TO HISTORY” Headwaters at Breckenridge, Minnesota, U.S.A. By NEOMA A. LAKEN 2010 CONTENTS WELCOME FOREWORD INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 General Information CHAPTER 2 Prehistoric Heritage CHAPTER 3 Converging Rivers CHAPTER 4 Steamboats, Flatboats & Barges CHAPTER 5 Graham’s Point, Pre-1819 Trading Post CHAPTER 6 Red River Oxcarts CHAPTER 7 Fort Abercrombie, Dakota Territory CHAPTER 8 Sister River Cities: Breckenridge, MN Wahpeton, ND CHAPTER 9 Red River of the North Flooding CHAPTER 10 Flora and Fauna CHAPTER 11 Renewed Vision for the Red River of the North EPILOG REFERENCES - 2 - WELCOME... Breckenridge, Wilkin County, Minnesota, United States of America, and Wahpeton, Richland County, North Dakota, United States of America, welcome you to the Red River of the North. Some of the information contained comes from the records in the office of the County Recorder, in the Wilkin County Courthouse, Breckenridge MN. Some is local historical lore passed on to generations throughout the years and told to the author. While yet other information is a meshing of historical facts. As with the telling of any history, sagas differ slightly with the various perspectives of the authors. I hope you will find your visit to the Red River of the North a pleasant one. Enjoy your visit . and come back soon! Neoma A. Laken, Author 108 North 15th Street Breckenridge, Minnesota 56520 United States of America All rights in and to this book reserved by author. No portion may be reprinted without permission. Additional copies of this book are available from River Keepers, 325 7th St South, Fargo, ND 58103, www.riverkeepers.org for a cost of $10.
    [Show full text]
  • Otter Tail County Local Water Management Plan
    Otter Tail County Local Water Management Plan August 31, 2009 – August 31, 2019 (Amended 2014) Bayerl Water Prepared by Bayerl Water Resources, with mapping by Otter Tail County GIS Department and BWSR and technical Resources assistance from the LWMP task force TABLE OF CONTENTS I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................... I-1 A. Background .........................................................................................................................I ‐1 B. Plan Purpose ...................................................................................................................... I ‐1 C. Description of Priority Concerns .........................................................................................I‐2 D. Consistency with Other Plans ............................................................................................. I ‐2 E. Recommendations to Other Plans and Official Controls .................................................... I ‐3 II. PRIORITY CONCERNS ...................................................................................................... II-1 A. Priority Concerns Identification ................................................................................ II ‐1 1. Surface Water Issues ..................................................................................................................II‐6 a) Water Quality...................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Otter Tail Lake 56-0242-00 OTTER TAIL COUNTY
    Otter Tail Lake 56-0242-00 OTTER TAIL COUNTY Lake Water Quality Summary Otter Tail Lake is located at the city of Ottertail, MN in Otter Tail County. It is a long and oval lake covering 14,074 acres (Table 1), and is the seventh deepest and tenth largest lake in Minnesota. Otter Tail Lake has five inlets and one outlet, which classify it as a drainage lake. The main inlets are the Otter Tail River, which enters on the northeast corner of the lake, and the Dead River, which enters on the northwest side of the lake. The Otter Tail River outlets at the southwest corner of the lake and eventually joins the Red River. Water quality data have been collected on Otter Tail Lake since 1969 (Tables 2 & 3). These data show that the lake is mesotrophic (TSI = 46) with moderately clear water conditions most of the summer and excellent recreational opportunities. Otter Tail Lake is a part of the Otter Tail Lake Property Owners Association. OTLPOA was incorporated on January 5, 1967. Since its beginning, the association has been focused on the preservation of fish and wildlife, water quality, and the prevention of invasive species. OTLPOA is also a member of the Otter Tail Coalition of Lake Associations (COLA). Table 1. Otter Tail Lake location and key physical characteristics. Location Data Physical Characteristics MN Lake ID: 56-0242-00 Surface area (acres): 14,074 County: Otter Tail Littoral area (acres): 6,717 North Central Hardwood % Littoral area: 48 Ecoregion: Forests Max depth (ft), (m): 112, 34.1 Major Drainage Basin: Red River Inlets: 5 Latitude/Longitude: 46.3982/-95.6626 Outlets: 1 Invasive Species: None as of 2013 Public Accesses: 4 Table 2.
    [Show full text]
  • In Search of Minnesota's Crossover Connections
    23 American Currents Vol. 41, No. 4 IN SEARCH OF MINNESOTA’S CROSSOVER CONNECTIONS Konrad Schmidt Saint Paul, MN I have always been fascinated with fish distribution. Shortnose Gar Lepisosteus platostomus, Bullhead Minnow How did they get to where they are today? Of course Pimephales vigilax, Pugnose Minnow Opsopoeodus emili- since humans have arrived on the scene, we have played ae, Blackstripe Topminnow Fundulus notatus, Warmouth a major role in spreading species around both intention- Lepomis gulosus, Western Sand Darter Ammocrypta clara, ally through stocking or accidentlly via navigation and and River Darter Percina shumardi) in the Lake Michi- drainage projects. However, a pet peeve of mine is the gan basin. John Lyons (Wisconsin Department of Natural rush to judgment of so many biologists to conveniently Resources and NANFA member) believes at least 15 addi- dismiss new occurrences in drainages or disjunct locali- tional species have crossed this natural flood connection ties as bait-bucket releases. One case in point was the over the last several thousand years rather than just the 1974 discovery of Northern Sunfish (Lepomis peltastes) period following the construction of the navigation canal. in Minnesota from a very isolated lake miles inside the He noted early historical accounts report spring flooding Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Access to the of the Wisconsin River flowing down the Fox River for lake is restricted to non-motorized watercraft requiring several days at a time. several long and rugged portages. The initial assumption Crisscrossing Minnesota doing fish surveys for more regarding the origin of this population was an illegal in- than 40 years I have become more and more intrigued troduction; however, the possibility of being a natural with road signs marking continental and drainage divides.
    [Show full text]
  • Otter Tail County Local Water Management Plan
    Otter Tail County Local Water Management Plan August 31, 2009 – August 31, 2019 (Amended 2014) Bayerl Water Prepared by Bayerl Water Resources, with mapping by Otter Tail County GIS Department and BWSR and technical Resources assistance from the LWMP task force TABLE OF CONTENTS I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................... I-1 A. Background .........................................................................................................................I ‐1 B. Plan Purpose ...................................................................................................................... I ‐1 C. Description of Priority Concerns .........................................................................................I‐2 D. Consistency with Other Plans ............................................................................................. I ‐2 E. Recommendations to Other Plans and Official Controls .................................................... I ‐3 II. PRIORITY CONCERNS ...................................................................................................... II-1 A. Priority Concerns Identification ................................................................................ II ‐1 1. Surface Water Issues ..................................................................................................................II‐6 a) Water Quality...................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Otter Tail River Water Trail Master Plan
    OTTER TAIL RIVER WATER TRAIL MASTER PLAN Developed by: Jay A. Leitch, Consultant Robert Backman and Christine Laney, River Keepers For: Division of Parks and Trails Minnesota Department of Natural Resources DATE: April 30, 2009 Project Goal: A safe, attractive water trail that provides recreational opportunities and creates partnerships for local economic development. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Mission: “Our mission is to work with the citizens to conserve and manage the state’s natural resources, to provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and to provide for commercial uses of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable quality of life.” Otter Tail River Water Trail Master Plan Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 3 I. Introduction 6 A. Justification ..................................................................................................................... 6 1. Planning ...................................................................................................................... 6 2. Canoeing and Kayaking .............................................................................................. 6 3. Canoeing and Kayaking on the Otter Tail River ........................................................ 7 B. The Resource .................................................................................................................. 8 1. Otter Tail River Physical Features .............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Surface Water Quality……………………………………………
    BECKER Local Water Management Plan COUNTY 2017 - 2027 DRAFT Prepared By: Becker Soil and Water Conservation District TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................... i. ACRONYMS AND TERMS........................................................................................... a. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................. Plan Purpose………………………………………………………………………….1 Priority Concerns…………………………………………………………………….2 Roles & Responsibilities……………………………………………………………4 About Becker SWCD………………………………………………………………...5 Programs and Projects……………………………………………………………...6 BACKGROUND AND NATURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY....................................... General Characteristics…………………………………………………………….7 County Population Trends…………………………………………………………7 Physiography and Relief…………………………………………………………..14 Drainage……………………………………………………………………………....15 Landuse & Landcover………………………………………………….…………..15 Major Watersheds…………………………………………………………………..17 Public & Protected Waters………………………………………………………...21 Impaired Waters………………………………………………………………….….23 Wetland Resources………………………………………………………………....25 Soils of Becker County……………………………………………………….…….28 Mineral Resources…………………………………………………………………..31 Forest Resources……………………………………………………………………31 IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE………….………………………....................................... Priority Concern: Surface Water Quality…………………………………………… Stormwater Management………………………………………………….33 Erosion
    [Show full text]
  • Otter Tail River Water Trail Is 157 River Miles of Minnesota’S Eighth-Longest River
    LANNING A SAFE RIVER TRIP PMost of the Otter Tail is a slow-moving, OTTER TAIL easily navigable river. However, certain reaches depending on certain fl ow conditions STATE WATER A TRAIL Guide can be challenging, even for experienced pad- RIVER dlers. Before getting on the river, make sure you know the basics of paddling, how to ma- neuver, and how to right a tipped vessel. Some reaches of the Otter Tail have excellent access while other reaches will be more diffi cult. This water trail is continuing to be developed, so use current information while planning your trip. Good trip planning will result in an enjoyable trip. Planning Tips • Travel with a companion or a group. • Don’t overestimate your capabilities. Left to Right: Sunset on Rush Lake. Pelicans in flight. Canoeing and fishing on the Otter Tail. A great day on the river. (Amy Ellison, Roger Lee, River Keepers, Jim Krause) • Always wear a proper-fi tting Coast Guard approved personal fl otation device. • Check weather forecasts and be aware of “The Otter Tail River GETS ITS NAME FROM EARLY FRENCH EXPLORERS WHO CALLED IT ‘Lac de la Queue de la Outer’ OR ‘Lake of the Otter’s Tail.’” changing conditions. • Flow rates will determine if you will confront Minnesota State Parks and Trails rapids or need to walk alongside your canoe in some reaches. mndnr.gov/watertrails River Keepers • Most people paddle two or three river miles ANDSCAPES OF THE OTTER TAIL UMANS AND THE OTTER TAIL few ducks that nests in tree cavities. Community Native Americans, its harvest is now regulated per hour.
    [Show full text]
  • Ground-Water Availability from Surficial Aquifers in the Red River of the North Basin, Minnesota
    Prepared in cooperation with the MINNESOTA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Ground-Water Availability from Surficial Aquifers in the Red River of the North Basin, Minnesota Scientific Investigations Report 2005–5204 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Ground-Water Availability from Surficial Aquifers in the Red River of the North Basin, Minnesota By Thomas H.C. Reppe Prepared in cooperation with the Minnesota Geological Survey and Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Department of the Interior Scientific Investigations Report 2005–5204 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior Gale A. Norton, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey P. Patrick Leahy, Acting Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2005 For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services Box 25286, Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 For more information about the USGS and its products: Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/ Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report. Suggested citation: Reppe, T.H.C., 2005, Ground-water availability from surficial aquifers in the Red River of the North Basin, Minnesota: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2005–5204, 54 p. Prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in Mounds View, Minnesota (http://mn.water.usgs.gov) iii Contents Acknowledgments .
    [Show full text]
  • Otter Tail River Diversion at Breckenridge, Minnesota
    The Use of Synthetic Floods for Defining the Regulated Flow-Frequency & Volume Duration Frequency Curves for the Red River at Hickson, North Dakota Prepared by the USACE - St. Paul District Hydrology & Water Management Section January 2015 USACE | Hickson Hydrology 1 Table of Contents 1. Objective ................................................................................................................................. 6 2. Background ............................................................................................................................. 7 3. Available Observed Streamflow Data ..................................................................................... 7 3.1. USGS Gage 0505000 Bois de Sioux River near White Rock, South Dakota ...................... 8 3.2. USGS Gage 05051300 Bois de Sioux River near Doran, Minnesota ................................. 8 3.3. USGS 05046000 Otter Tail River below Orwell Dam, near Fergus Falls, Minnesota ....... 9 3.4. USGS gage 05056502 Otter Tail River at 11th Street in Breckenridge, Minnesota .......... 9 3.5. USGS Gage 05051500 Red River of the North at Wahpeton, North Dakota ................... 9 3.6. USGS 05046475 Otter Tail River Diversion at Breckenridge, Minnesota ...................... 10 3.7. USGS gage 0505152130 Red River of the North at Enloe, North Dakota ...................... 10 3.8. USGS gage 05051522 Red River of the North at Hickson, North Dakota ...................... 11 4. Drainage Area Analysis ........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Water-Use Data for the Red River of the North Basin, North Dakota
    Rowland and others– Water-Use Data for the Red River of the North Basin, North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota, 1979-2001 Water-Use Data for t he Red River of the North Basin, D akota, Minnesota, and South Dakota, 1979-2001 –Open File Report 2004–1308 Open-File Report 2004-1308 U.S. Department of the Interior Printed on recycled paper U.S. Geological Survey Water-Use Data for the Red River of the North Basin, North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota, 1979-2001 By Kathleen M. Macek-Rowland, Allan D. Arntson, Karen R. Ryberg, and Ann L. Dahl, U.S. Geological Survey and Amy Lieb, Bureau of Reclamation In cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation Open-File Report 2004-1308 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior Gale A. Norton, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Charles G. Groat, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2004 For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services Box 25286, Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 For more information about the USGS and its products: Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/ Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data ISBN iii Contents Abstract. 1 Introduction .
    [Show full text]
  • Of Surface-Water Records
    EOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 58 June 1949 INDEX OF SURFACE-WATER RECORDS PART 5.-HUDSON BAY AND UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASINS TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1948 Prepared by St. Paul District QE 75 U58c No.58 1949 Bur€94,0! t‹,u(17,914004 . Denver, eoitirgor- C QE 75�U. S. Geological Survey. .U58c Circular. no .58 UNITE 'TrERIOR WASHINGTON, D. C. Free on application to the Director, Geological Survey, Washington 26, D. C. BURFAUOFREXAMATIONIMENVERUMMY 1 01 111 1111 II r X:iikh. 92026543 I Ili:. I Ltpir INDEX OF SURFACE-WATER RECORDS PART 5.-HUDSON BAY AND UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASINS TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1948 EXPLANATION The index lists the stream-flow and reservoir stations in the Hudson Bay and tipper Mississippi River Basins for which records have been or are to be published for periods prior to September 30, 1948. The stations are listed in downstream order. Tributary streams are indicated by indention. Station names are given in their most recently published forms. Parentheses around part of a station name indicate that the inclosed word or words were used in an earlier published name of the station or in a name under which records were published by some agency other than the Geological Survey. The drainage areas, in square miles, are the latest figures published or otherwise available at this time. Drainage areas that were obviously inconsistent with other drainage areas on the same stream have been omitted. Some drainage areas not published by the Geological Survey are listed with an appropriate footnote stating the published source of the figure of drainage area.
    [Show full text]