However, these resources are experiencing increased pressure from development and subsequent loss of shoreline and aquatic habitat. is located in the watershed.Ĭurrently, the surface water resources within this watershed meet Minnesota’s water quality standards for conventional pollutants (not including mercury). One-half of Minnesota’s naturally producing Muskie lakes and a quarter of the natural Muskie habitat in the U.S. This watershed has a very high degree of biodiversity in its thousands of acres of forests and surface waters.

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. The Leech Lake River watershed has 277 total river miles and contains over 750 lakes with a total acreage of 166,374. The watershed also includes the Leech Lake Reservation (Leech Lake Band of Chippewa). Major communities in the watershed are Laporte, Benedict, Walker, Federal Dam, Boy River, Whipholt, Longville, and Hackensack. The watershed includes parts of Beltrami, Cass, and Hubbard counties. miles) in the northern part of the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The Leech Lake River watershed consists of approximately 854,659 acres (1,335 sq. Environmental Quality Information System (EQuIS).EDA: Guide to typical Minnesota water quality conditions.Small Business Environmental Assistance.

Leech lake reservation