Flood Control

Orwell Dam and Lake are part of a federal flood control and water supply project on the Otter Tail River in west central Minnesota. Orwell Dam is also a key component in a comprehensive flood control plan for the Red River of the North. Federal land at the site totals 2,020 acres.

History

Construction of Orwell Dam was authorized by Congress with the passage of the Flood Control Act of 1948. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began construction in May 1951, and the dam went into operation in the spring of 1953.

Specs

• Orwell is a rolled earth dam (successive layers of moistened or damp soil laid one over the other.
• The dam’s control structure, the tainter gate, is made of welded structural carbon steel. It is 33 feet wide and 27 1⁄2 feet high.
• The main dike is 47 feet high and 1,355 feet long.
• There are two 10-foot perimeter dikes with a combined length of 1,140 feet.

Orwell Lake

Drainage area: 1,820 square miles.
Water storage: 8,600 acre-feet (an acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover an acre of ground one foot deep).
Total shoreline: 20 miles.

Lake Access

• South access: Primitive; for duck boats and flat-bottom boats.
• North access: Has concrete planks; for larger boats.
• Access to the lake is limited to boats with 10hp motors or less.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Recreation Areas

Orwell Lake has two day-use areas:

• Main Entrance: Playground, park benches, picnic tables, fireplaces and picnic shelter. 10 p.m. curfew. No camping.
• Overlook Area: Just north of the dam. Abundant wildlife viewing. Picnic shelter, picnic tables and benches. No camping.

Viewing Wildlife

Because a wildlife sanctuary is located adjacent to the recreation areas, viewing wildlife is easy. The 660-acre sanctuary is maintained by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and provides food and shelter for many animals all year long.

Fishing

Angling is a popular attraction on Orwell Lake and the Otter Tail River. You might catch walleye, northern, crappie, catfish, red horse suckers, or any of the other 57 species of fish in the river system.

Hunting

Duck, goose, fox, pheasant, Hungarian partridge and white-tailed deer hunting are permitted in some areas of the project. However, hunting is not allowed in the sanctuary. For hunting information and regulations, contact the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 1509 First Avenue North, Fergus Falls, MN 56537. Telephone: 218-739-7576.