Public News Release

The Lake of the Woods Watershed Joint Powers Board requests public comments on the amended Lake of the Woods Watershed Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. To view the Plan, visit https://www.lowwpb.org.

Written comments will be accepted now until Monday, August 31st, 2026, at 4:30 PM. Comments can be submitted to either Lake of the Woods or Roseau SWCDs for all Lake of the Woods watershed residents (see map below). E-mail comments to Janine Lovold: janine.lovold@mnswcd.org.

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The  five-year review of the original Plan determined that there was a great need for Plan simplification, better prioritization, and activity and action updates. After nearly a year of revising the original plan, this amended Plan is streamlined for better understanding of goals and what activities and actions are being measured to accomplish those goals. The Plan will help prioritize and fund projects with the purpose of maintaining and improving water quality in this area for the next 10 years.

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Facts about Lake of the Woods Watershed:

• The Lake of the Woods Watershed spans 1,172 square miles (750,111 acres) with the lake itself comprising 304,700 acres.

• Besides the main lake, the watershed also has 3 small lakes and 540 ponds. Stream and river lengths total 331 miles and drainage ditches span 323 miles.

• The lake operates as a reservoir because water levels are managed by the Norman Dam in Kenora, Ontario built in the 1890’s. The installation of the dam raised the lake level by over 3.5 feet.

• Lake of the Woods is nicknamed “Walleye Capital of the World”.

• Cultivated and hay/grass lands make up 11% of the watershed.

• Top crop acres include soybeans, wheat, hay grass seed, canola, and barley.

• Wetlands cover about 77% of the land area (including almost all wooded areas). Most wetlands are in good to excellent condition.

• Private and tribal lands make up 42% and 15% of the watershed land mass, respectively.

• Contains portions of Roseau and Lake of the Woods Counties and the entire Warroad Watershed District.

 

The Plan Amendment is funded through the Board of Water and Soil Resources and the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment.

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The Lake of the Woods Watershed Joint Powers Board members are made up of elected or appointed officials of the Warroad Watershed District, Roseau and Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and Roseau and Lake of the Woods Counties.