The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will begin construction on Aug. 17 to upgrade the Riviera Public Water Access on the northern shoreline of Otter Tail Lake in Otter Tail County. The PWA will be closed during construction and is anticipated to reopen by late October 2026.
During the closure, boaters can launch at two additional state PWAs on the lake – Pelican Bay/Sportsmans on the east side and Riverside on the west side of the lake.
Riviera PWA was originally developed in 1983. The PWA is heavily used by all types of boaters. The project includes completely redesigning the access space to address boater needs.
“Otter Tail Lake is the tenth largest lake entirely within Minnesota and a popular destination for boaters,” said Jeff Fjestad, DNR Parks and Trails area supervisor. “Modernizing the PWA will provide users an easier and safer, accessible way to launch their boat and enjoy their time on the lake.”
Upgrades include the entire reconstruction of the parking area, including:
- Larger vehicle and trailer parking stalls to accommodate bigger boats.
- Wider drive lanes.
- A vehicle tie-down area.
- Two designated accessible spaces for people to clean, drain and dry boats to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Additional improvements include an ADA portable toilet space closer to the ramp, two boat boarding docks, replacement and realignment of the two concrete ramp sections, and stormwater retention and water management features to minimize runoff into the lake.
Funding for the project comes from the $700 million bonding package approved in the 2025 legislative session.