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 .............................................................................. 8 2. Human History .......................................................................................................... 11 3. Political / Regulatory Setting .................................................................................... 15 II. Otter Tail River Master Plan for a Water Trail 17 A. Getting Started .............................................................................................................. 17 B. Stakeholder Buy-In ....................................................................................................... 17 1. Project Advisory Group ............................................................................................ 17 2. Public Input Meetings ............................................................................................... 18 C. Describing Current Situation – Open-Water 2008! ...................................................... 19 1. Field Data Collection ................................................................................................ 20 2. Current Uses and User Groups ................................................................................. 20 3. Vendors ..................................................................................................................... 21 D. Crosscutting Issues........................................................................................................ 21 1. Water Safety.............................................................................................................. 21 2. Multiple Use & Incompatible Uses........................................................................... 23 3. Economic Development ............................................................................................ 24 4. Coordinating with Other Trails, Plans, and Government Entities ............................ 25 5. Cooperating with Other Trails and Facilities ............................................................ 26 6. Stream Gauges, Flows, and Recreation .................................................................... 27 7. Identifying Location On The River—“You Are Here” ............................................ 28 E. The Master Plan ............................................................................................................ 29 1. Background ............................................................................................................... 29 a. Purpose – Overall Strategy .................................................................................. 29 b. Maps .................................................................................................................... 30 c. Master Plan .......................................................................................................... 30 2. Operational Plans for River Reaches ........................................................................ 34 a. Headwaters Reach ............................................................................................... 37 b. Frazee Reach ....................................................................................................... 46 c. Big Lakes Reach.................................................................................................. 54 d. Fergus Falls Reach .............................................................................................. 62 e. Lake Agassiz Reach ........................................................................................... 71 3. Implementation ......................................................................................................... 77 III. References 82 1 Otter Tail River Water Trail Master Plan APPENDICES Appendix A. Otter Tail Power Company 1992 Plan W/O Attachments ..................................... 87 Appendix B. List of Dams and Bridges………………………………………………………..109 Appendix C. Project Advisory Group Meetings ........................................................................ 117 Appendix D. Public and Stakeholder Input Meetings ............................................................... 123 Appendix E. Photo Log.............................................................................................................. 137 Appendix F. Canoeing and Boating Safety................................................................................ 138 Appendix G. Becker County and Otter Tail County Tubing Regulations ................................ 141 Appendix X. The Map ............................................................................................................... 158 FIGURES Figure 1. River of the North Drainage Basin, with the Otter Tail River Highlighted ................... 9 Figure 2. Monthly Mean Stream Flow ......................................................................................... 10 Figure 3. Oxcart Trail Crossings of the OTR .............................................................................. 12 Figure 4. Five Reaches of the OTR ............................................................................................. 34 Figure 5. Headwaters Reach ........................................................................................................ 43 Figure 6. Frazee Reach ................................................................................................................ 52 Figure 7. Big Lakes Reach ........................................................................................................... 60 Figure 8. Fergus Falls Reach ....................................................................................................... 69 Figure 9. Lake Agassiz Reach ..................................................................................................... 75 TABLES Table 1. Strategic Goals to Support Implementation of OTR Water Trail .................................. 33 Table 2. List of Common Goals ................................................................................................... 36 Table 3: Recommended Headwaters Reach Operational Actions ............................................... 45 Table 4. Recommended Frazee Reach Operational Actions ....................................................... 53 Table 5. Recommended Big Lakes Reach Operational Actions .................................................. 61 Table 6. Recommended Fergus Falls Reach Operational Actions .............................................. 70 Table 7. Recommended Lake Aggasiz Reach Operational Actions ............................................ 76 Table 8. Implementation Phases .................................................................................................. 78 Table 9. Estimated Implementation Costs ................................................................................... 80 2 Otter Tail River Water Trail Master Plan OTTER TAIL RIVER WATER TRAIL MASTER PLAN Goal: A safe, attractive water trail that provides recreational opportunities and creates partnerships for local economic development. Executive Summary: The 186.0-mile Otter Tail River in west central Minnesota was designated by the 2006 Minnesota Legislature as a canoe and boating route, becoming the 31st ”Water Trail” in Minnesota. The River flows through three ecosystems representative of the state, which include both human and physical/natural elements contributing to its potential. The River has a rich human and natural history. After designation as a water trail, the Minnesota DNR Trails and Waterways developed a draft map for the entire river. DNR also developed a PowerPoint slide show of several specific hazards or obstacles to paddlers and boaters on the OTR. Development of this Master Plan by River Keepers is a continuation of that recent work accomplished by DNR Trails and Waterways personnel. This plan is for water-based recreation specifically on the Otter Tail River