Otter Tail River Watershed Stressor Identification Report - Lakes

This report summarizes SID work related to lakes in the Otter Tail River Watershed (OTRW). The OTRW encompasses over 1.2 million acres characterized predominantly as a mix of forested and agricultural land, and includes the cities of Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Pelican Rapids, and Perham. The OTRW also contains numerous lakes, rivers, streams, and wetland complexes. Of the lakes within the OTRW, 86 were sampled and assessed using the FIBI to evaluate biological health. Of the lakes that were sampled, 12 were assessed as not supporting aquatic life use based on FIBI scores that were below the impairment threshold established for similar lakes. Seven additional lakes were considered vulnerable to future impairment based on FIBI scores near the impairment threshold.