Photo by Tom Hintgen
Area residents had a good time of swimming in the Fergus Falls outdoor pool on Friday, August 7. This is the second year of the new aquatics center in the community, across the street from Kennedy Secondary school just northeast of downtown Fergus Falls.

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

As the summer winds down in Otter Tail County, residents and visitors still have the option of swimming in county lakes or making use of community aquatic centers in towns such as Pelican Rapids, Parkers Prairie and Fergus Falls. In those communities the pools are open from noon until 7 p.m.

The pools in Pelican Rapids and Parkers Prairie will stay open through Labor Day but the Fergus Falls aquatic center will close for the summer season on August 22.

The DNR says that cooler August nights in Minnesota slowly lower lake water temperatures but shallow lakes still stay warm for swimming enthusiasts. They say that deep lakes cool down faster.

“Several cold nights in a row can make morning swims feel really chilly, but water temperatures are still pleasant during afternoon hours,” said one DNR official.

Whether it be at lakes or swimming pools, there’s joy in Otter Tail County with splashing in the water and the aroma from hot dogs roasting on nearby grills during the summer months. The swimming pools and lakes attract both county residents and visitors to Otter Tail County.

Enjoy the end of the summer swimming season.