The outlet for the Heron Lake basin is currently controlled by the State Dam that is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR).

[4] Heron Lake has a long history as an important resting area for migratory waterfowl and had sustained Native American communities for thousands of years.

At the turn of the 20th century, this bounty was then exploited by unregulated market hunters who could bag thousands of ducks per day.

This has led to water quality issues since the 1950s and has greatly impacted wildlife numbers due to the loss of important submerged aquatic vegetation and habitat.

[4] However, due to this rich history, work to improve the water quality and wildlife habitat of Heron Lake has increased throughout the watershed in recent decades.