CURRIE — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is looking for the public’s feedback on plans for an enhancement project on a shallow lake in Murray County.

On Monday, spokespeople said the DNR is pursuing wildlife lake designation for Robbin’s Slough, which is located northeast of Lake Shetek. The DNR is also proposing to build a water control structure that would allow them to temporarily draw down water levels in the slough.

The DNR said it will hold a public meeting on the proposed enhancement project on Jan. 7 in Currie.

“The DNR’s staff is interested in pursuing the wildlife lake designation, because it could help to permanently protect the basin and give us the authority to manage water levels to enhance habitat conditions for waterfowl and other wetland dependent wildlife,” DNR shallow lakes specialist Maggie Gross said in a news release. “We are interested in hearing from the public on any benefits and drawbacks to the potential designation.”

Robbin’s Slough is considered a shallow lake, which means it is more than 40 acres in size, but less than 15 feet deep, the DNR said.

A draft management plan prepared by the DNR said game and wildlife lake surveys have found a variety of waterfowl, including several species of ducks, Canada geese and snow geese, have used the slough. Robbin’s Slough also has a history of use for waterfowl hunting and trapping animals like muskrats and beavers, the management plan said. While muskrats and beavers are still present around the slough, their populations are much smaller than they were in the past, the plan said.

If the DNR designates Robbin’s Slough as a wildlife lake, Ducks Unlimited would lead the design and construction of a water control structure on the southeast side of the lake. The DNR’s draft management plan said the structure would be a box culvert, with a fish barrier downstream from the lake in Plum Creek. Plum Creek would stay as the main outlet for the slough, while the culvert would be used to temporarily draw down water levels in the slough, the draft plan said. Drawdowns are used to mimic natural periods of low water levels, which can help improve water quality, the DNR said.

“Most of the time, it’s waterfowl — ducks, geese, swans — that benefit the most from water manipulation strategies, but other wetland wildlife can also benefit,” Gross said. “Keeping the water clear helps aquatic plants thrive, which lowers nutrient levels and provides high-quality habitat.”

Funds for the enhancement project would come primarily from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, the DNR said.

The public meeting on the proposal will be at 5 p.m. on Jan. 7, at the Currie American Legion. The DNR will present the proposed management plan for Robbin’s Slough, and members of the public can ask questions or give comments.

The draft management proposal for Robbin’s Slough is also available on the DNR’s website, at mndnr.gov/wildlife/shallowlakes/program-work.html.

People can also comment on the plan by contacting Bill Schuna at bill.schuna@state.mn.us or 507-873-5650. Comments will be accepted until Feb. 7.