The Pelican River Watershed District is a special unit of government organized under Minnesota Statues 103D to manage water resources in the watershed. It covers approximately 120 square miles in Becker and Otter Tail Counties and includes the upper reaches of the Pelican River which eventually drains to the Otter Tail and Red Rivers. According to the order prescribing the District, its general purposes are conserving and making provident use of waters and other natural resources to:
1. Reduce the pollution of the waters of the Pelican River Chain of lakes;
2. Slow down the eutrophication of the lakes;
3. Regulate the water levels in the Pelican River Chain of lakes;
4. Enhance their recreational facilities and protect and improve the scenic beauty thereof;
5. Improve the needed drainage;
6. Provide needed soil and water conservation practices on the land; and
7. For other purposes as found in the Minnesota Watershed Act.