Lac Qui Parle Lake In a rich agricultural area, the nearby Mission Park Historical Site contains replicas of early Indian life. Lac qui Parle is known for its good fishing and waterfowl hunting. Camping is available in the nearby Lac qui Parle State Park.
Lake Traverse Lake Traverse is located on the Minnesota - South Dakota border. The project consists of two dams, one dike and two lakes, Traverse and Mud. The main purpose of the project is to control flooding along the northward flowing Bois de Souix River, which joins the Ottertail River to become the Red River of the North. The significant feature of the project is the Browns Valley Dike on the south end of Lake Traverse, keeping it separate from Big Stone Lake. The dike sits on the continental divide, which marks the outlet of Glacial Lake Agassiz. Waters on the north side of the dike flow into Hudson's Bay, and on the south, waters flow into the Minnesota River and on to the Mississippi River. The Corps maintains day use areas at each structur.
Litchfield WMD Litchfield Wetland Management District is located on the eastern edge of the Prairie Pothole Region in central Minnesota. Here, just a little south of the famous mythological Lake Wobegone where "all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average," over 30,000 acres of Service owned land and 8,000 acres of wetland easements provide outstanding marsh, prairie, transition, and woodland habitats.District lands are located on over 130 Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) scattered throughout 7 counties. These WPAs vary greatly in size and vegetation and provide homes or life cycle requirements for numerous plant and animal species. Twenty-eight Federally listed endangered, threatened, or special concern species and eighty-three State listed species including the bald eagle, trumpeter swan, Cerulean warbler, and Henslow's sparrow utilize District habitats.
Minneapolis Grand Rounds The Grand Rounds Scenic Byway is a system of lovely trails, paths and roadways in a totally unique urban setting.
Minnesota Valley NWR Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is located within the urban and suburban areas of the Twin Cities and is a green belt of large marsh areas bordered by office buildings, highways, residential areas, and grain terminals.The Refuge is comprised of eight linear units totaling 10,514 acres that extend along 34 miles of the Minnesota River. Habitats include riverine wetlands, fens, seeps, floodplain forests, oak savannas and forest, and native grasslands.Over 250 species of birds use the area at some time during the year. Nearly 150 birds nest in the valley including bald eagles and peregrine falcons. The avian diversity is complemented by at least 50 species of mammals and 30 species of reptiles and amphibians.The focal point of the Refuge is the Visitor Center, which features 8000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, a 125-seat auditorium, two multi-purpose classrooms, a bookstore, and an observation deck. Environmental education and interpretation are conducted from this facility. Recreational activities include hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, hunting, and fishing.The Refuge also manages a 13-county wetland management district. Remnant habitats found in this area include tallgrass prairie and prairie potholes.
Minnesota Valley WMD The Minnesota Valley Wetland Management District includes portions of the Minnesota, Cannon, and Mississippi River watersheds. Pre-settlement habitat included prairie pothole, native prairie, oak savannah, and big woods habitats. The major breeding species of waterfowl in the district are mallards, blue winged teal, and wood ducks. Breeding by redheads, ruddy ducks, and gadwalls has also been confirmed.
