Lac qui Parle is a French translation of the name
given to the lake by the Dakota Indians who called it the "lake that speaks." If
you visit in the spring or fall you'll understand why. The lake is a stop over
for thousands of migratory Canada geese and other waterfowl. You'll hear a
chorus of honking, quacking, and other vocalizations. Paddle the lake, or cast a
line and catch walleye, northerns, perch, or crappie. Explore one of the trails
by foot or horseback. Visit the historic Fort Renville and Lac qui Parle mission
sites. While in the area, be sure to visit the 27,000 acre Lac qui Parle
Wildlife Management Area.Quick stats:
1,057 acres
71,396 annual visits
Naturalist:
The best way to learn more about Lac qui Parle State Park is to stop in at
the park office for a map and information about what to see in the park.
Although the park does not have a naturalist on staff, activities are offered
occasionally throughout the summer.
Wildlife
The management of wildlife -- white-tailed deer, geese and other animals --
is a major success story. In the fall of 1958, only 150 geese were counted at
Lac qui Parle. Since then, management practices have brought as many as 120,000
geese at one time. The geese arrive in early March from their primary wintering
post at Swan Lake, Missouri. Spring migrations continue through April. In late
September, geese arrive and continue until the last birds leave in early
December. Flights of whistling swans pass over Lac qui Parle in April and
November. Pelicans nest in the area on an one-acre island.
History
Shortly after 1826, Joseph Renville, an independent fur trader built a
stockade overlooking the foot of Lac qui Parle. Within the stockade, Dr. Thomas
Smith Williamson and Alexander Huggins founded the Lac qui Parle Sioux Mission
in July, 1835. The missionaries translated the Gospel and several hymns into the
Dakota language. They also completed the first dictionary of the language. At
the mission, Minnesota's first cloth was also made. Lac qui Parle was designated
as a state park in 1941.
Geology
At the close of the last glacial period, 13,000 to 15,000 years ago, Glacial
Lake Agassiz, the largest freshwater lake the world has known, covered much of
northwest Minnesota. For thousands of years, this lake drained southward through
Glacial River Warren. This torrential river carved out what is now known as the
Minnesota River Valley. Down the length of the Minnesota River, where major
tributaries joined it, deltas formed natural dams which resulted in wide lakes."
Lac qui Parle Lake was formed in this manner, as was Marsh Lake to the north.
Landscape
Lac qui Parle State Park contains river floodplain and prairie hillsides. Lac
qui Parle Lake is approximately fourteen feet deep, perfect for diverse wildlife
habitat. Spring and fall migrations can be spectacular at the park.
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