Get Out MORE funding used for improvements
The Minnesota River Public Water Access just north of Belle Plaine will be closed, starting Aug. 17, as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources makes improvements to the site.
The primary purpose of the project is to modernize and rehabilitate the public water access, while addressing effects of river flooding that sometimes hinders access to the facility. The access is expected to reopen sometime this fall.
“This investment in the Belle Plaine PWA will provide better access for all users, meet the needs of today’s boats and towing vehicles, improve water quality, and protect waters from the spread of invasive species,” said David Olsen, DNR Parks and Trails area supervisor.
The PWA, located off Minnesota Highway 25, is frequently used to get boats on the water for fishing, as well as occasional use for hunting and paddling. While it’s closed, accesses at Henderson and Jordan are the nearest Minnesota River alternatives for boaters.
Updates at the Belle Plaine PWA will include raising the parking lot to make it easier to access during high water; adding an accessible parking stall, a dedicated clean off area to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, and solar LED overhead lighting; improving vehicle circulation, including pull-through parking stalls; and adjusting the boat ramp angle for improved use.
Public water accesses are open 24 hours a day unless posted otherwise. They are available for both trailer and carry-in. See maps of accesses across county, find a boat ramp, learn regulations and more at on the DNR website.
Get Out MORE
The project was funded by Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences). Through the Get Out MORE initiative, funded in 2023, the DNR and its partners are working to help ensure Minnesotans of all abilities and interests enjoy a world-class recreation system, whatever outdoor experience they choose. Projects are planned, underway or complete in 63 of Minnesota’s 87 counties, and include improving accessibility at DNR-managed public lands throughout Minnesota; modernizing camping and related infrastructure; updating more than 100 state-managed public water access sites; investing in fish hatcheries; collaborating with local governments on shore fishing site improvements; and enhancing climate resiliency and improving stream ecology. Learn more about these on the DNR website.