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Okabena-Ocheda Watershed District |
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Managing Lake, Stream and Groundwater Resources |
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About the District |
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One of Worthington’s wells near Lake Bella |
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The Stateline Dam Spillway |
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Minnesota watershed districts are local units of government established to address an area’s water related problems. The Okabena-Ocheda Watershed District was formed on February 25, 1961 by order of the Minnesota Water Resources Board to work on flood control, drainage, pollution and groundwater supply issues.
During the District’s first twenty-five years, activities focused on regulating private drainage projects, establishing public drainage projects, diverting water to maintain lake levels and protecting and enhancing Worthington’s groundwater supply. Constructing the Stateline Dam was the District’s most ambitious project during this period. The project was truly multi-purpose, creating the Lake Bella reservoir to recharge the Ocheyedan aquifer, protecting downstream farm fields in Iowa from flooding and establishing the Bella Park recreation area.
Recent projects have focused on protecting surface water and groundwater quality by reducing and treating runoff, establishing grassed buffers along streams and around lakes, protecting and restoring wetlands and retiring marginal agricultural land.
To Contact Us:
Phone: 507-372-8228 Fax: 507-372-8348 E-mail: dan.livdahl@okabenaochedawd.org
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