The Leech Lake River watershed consists of approximately 854,659 acres (1,335 sq. miles) in the northern part of the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The watershed includes parts of Beltrami, Cass, and Hubbard counties. Major communities in the watershed are Laporte, Benedict, Walker, Federal Dam, Boy River, Whipholt, Longville, and Hackensack. The watershed also includes the Leech Lake Reservation (Leech Lake Band of Chippewa). The Leech Lake River watershed has 277 total river miles and contains over 750 lakes with a total acreage of 166,374.
The Leech Lake River watershed is situated in the heart of Minnesota’s lake country and contains some of the most pristine natural resources in Minnesota. This watershed has a very high degree of biodiversity in its thousands of acres of forests and surface waters. One-half of Minnesota’s naturally producing Muskie lakes and a quarter of the natural Muskie habitat in the U.S. is located in the watershed.
Currently, the surface water resources within this watershed meet Minnesota’s water quality standards for conventional pollutants (not including mercury). However, these resources are experiencing increased pressure from development and subsequent loss of shoreline and aquatic habitat. The surface water resources within this watershed are highly prized for their recreational value and these resources attract several hundred thousand vacationers to the area each year. The protection of these resources is vital in sustaining the local economy and natural heritage and character of this watershed.
The major threats to the watershed include:
- Loss of shoreline and aquatic habitat due to development.
- Population growth of up to 60% projected for the watershed by 2030, according to Minnesota State Demographers.
- Increased nutrient, contaminant, and sedimentation loading from stormwater runoff from development and other non-point sources.
- Loss of biodiversity due to competition from invasive species.
What's being done
What's being done
Watersheds: Tracking the actions taken
See actions taken in Minnesota’s watersheds to meet water-quality goals and milestones: WRAPS, TMDLs, best practices, wastewater, and money spent.
Water quality assessment data for government partners
Tribal, federal, state and local partners: View and download results of monitoring and assessment decisions for Minnesota waters based on designated uses and watersheds.
Monitoring and assessment
Leech Lake River watershed stressor identification report: Summary (wq-ws5-07010102b)- Leech Lake River Watershed Stressor Identification Report (wq-ws5-07010102a)
- Leech Lake River Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Report (wq-ws3-07010102)
Strategies for restoration and protection
- Our Upper Mississippi River Large River and Basin Restoration and Protection Strategies (wq-ws4-38b)
- Leech Lake River Watershed WRAPS (wq-ws4-31a) (MPCA approval 5/10/2017)
- Leech Lake River Watershed WRAPS Summary (wq-ws4-31b)
Water quality model supporting documents
- Hydrology Calibration of Mississippi River Headwaters, Leech Lake River and Pine River Watersheds HSPF Models (wq-ws1-16)
- Model Development for Miss River Headwaters, Leech Lake River, and Pine River Watersheds (wq-ws1-17)
- Hydrologic and Water Quality Calibration (wq-ws1-18)
More information
- Leech Lake River One Watershed One Plan
- Northern Waters Land Trust
- Cass County Environmental Services
- Hubbard County Soil and Water Conservation District
Contact
- Watershed project manager Phil Votruba, 218-316-3901
The MN Department of Agriculture maintains the Minnesota Water Research Digital Library, an inventory of water research relevant to the state with a particular focus on publications since 2000.