Water Planning

Upper/Lower Red Lake Watershed Plan

The Upper Lower Red Lake Watershed has gone through the 60 day public comment period and now awaiting approval from the Board of Water and Soil Resources.

After nearly two years of collaborative planning, the comprehensive watershed management plan is nearly complete. This watershed plan aligns water planning along watershed boundaries and enhances existing county water plans. It sets goals and actions for the next 10 years to help prioritize and fund projects with the purpose of maintaining and improving water quality in this area.

Facts about the Upper/Lower Red Lake Watershed:

The Upper/Lower Red Lake Watershed spans 1,940 square miles.
Upper and Lower Red Lake combined is the largest lake (288,800 acres) in Minnesota.
Primary communities include Red Lake Nation Reservation, Kelliher, Blackduck, and Funkley.
Includes parts of Beltrami, Koochiching, Itasca, and Clearwater Counties.

This voluntary program is administered through the Board of Water and Soil Resources. Red Lake Nation and Beltrami SWCD teamed up to develop this plan. A voluntary technical advisory committee helped develop the Plan. Partners will complete plan action items that are measurable and trackable to improve and protect soil and water in this area.