Lake Emma - Otter Tail County

With the completion of three conservation easements on Lake Emma in Otter Tail County totaling 870 acres, the Minnesota Land Trust has protected the entire eastern shore of Lake Emma; with the western shore lying within Glendalough State Park, the entire lake will remain a haven for waterfowl and recreational users.

The completion of this complex is a win-win solution for the citizens of Minnesota and the wildlife that depend on shallow lakes. With Glendalough State Park on the west, the entire lake is now preserved. This is a perfect example of how private landowners play a vital role in the conservation of Minnesota’s natural heritage.

Lake Emma itself possesses several unique characteristics that contribute to its significance as a target of conservation. Lake Emma lies in the heart of the historical “prairie pothole” region of Minnesota characterized by smaller, shallow lakes that have provided spectacular habitat for migratory waterfowl. Many of these shallow lakes have been lost through drainage activities or substantially affected by increasing development.