Ottertail Prairie SNA

320 Acres Located from Fergus Falls 7 miles S of I-94 on Co Hwy 1, then 6 miles W on Co Rd 112 to its end. Continue 1 mile W on Twp road (140th Street), then 1 mile S and 1 mile W on Twp roads to pull off. Otter Tail County Twp 131N Rng 44W Sec 17 Type: Prairie Grasslands ECS Subsection: Red River Prairie

Description:

Ottertail Prairie is a wet to wet mesic prairie interlaced with shallow, seasonally inundated pools. The groundwater seepage is mostly calcareous, influencing the plants that grow well here. This community type is dominated by grasses and sedges, though forbes are common. Golden Alexanders, blue-eyed grass, yellow star grass and Canada anemone are common in spring. Death camas, sunflowers, vetch, leadplant and Culver's root follow later. The rare downy gentian occurs here, and greater prairie chickens, upland sandpipers, Wilson's phalaropes and marbled godwits may be found. Bobolinks are very common and their songs fill the air in spring and early summer. Visit throughout the year to see the prairie at its finest.

Bird List

Plant List