Lake Management Plan

go to PGOLID main pageChapter 1 includes an introduction and abstract
Chapter 2 includes the goals of PGOLID
Chapter 3 history covers geological formation to current district projects
Chapter 4 covers watershed characteristics of most of northwest Minnesota
Chapter 5 covers the main watershed around the Pelican Lakes
Chapter 6 covers the minor watersheds that surround Pelican Lake
Chapter 7 describes the types of data collected and why
Chapter 8 reports the data and water quality of inlets and outlets to Pelican Lake
Chapter 9 reports the water quality data for the Pelican Lakes

Chapter 10
Chapter 11 Safety and Buoys

 

Questions?
PGOLID Water Resource Coordinator
218-846-1465, email

Chapter 4: Major Watershed Characteristics

4.3 Demographics

Population has a dramatic influence on watershed characteristics. Roads and canals can divert the flow of water. Industry and suburbs concentrate pollutants. Generally the larger and denser the population the greater potential there is for pollution.

Totals

The Pelican River watershed is inhabited by approximately 30,000 people, including Detroit Lakes . The areas population can triple in the summer from tourism.


Total Population by MCD (2000)

Seasonal Population

Over 50% of homes in the lower half of the watershed are seasonal or recreational housing. This is most likely due to the tourism and harsh winters.


Seasonal/Recreational housing units as percent total (2000)

 

4.4 Land Use

The land use within the Pelican Lakes watershed has been delineated and is available from the Minnesota Environmental Atlas. A breakdown of the land use within the watershed is shown below. Agricultural and forest acreage are the dominant land use categories.

View map of land use in the Pelican Lakes watershed

Next page: Chapter 4.5 Soils

 
© Copyright 2007 Pelican Group of Lakes Improvement District