The Lake Orono Restoration and Enhancement (LORE) project wrapped up this summer, allowing residents to enjoy the lake with some deeper areas and improved shorelines.
In total, dredging removed just over 140,000 cubic yards of material from various locations within both the upper and lower portions of the lake. Shoreline restoration was completed along the point off Simonet Drive and along the west shoreline of the Orono Cemetery. Both now have shoreline vegetation with deep roots that will protect these areas from wave action and future erosion.
Thanks to coordination with the Orono Lake Improvement District (OLID), the lake was also restocked with fish following a survey conducted by the DNR where they recommended adult bass, bluegills, sunfish and crappies, be added back into Lake Orono. Restocking began in May, and will take place again this fall, and again in the spring of 2022.
Watch the time lapse video of Lake Orono dredging captured from January to May 2021 here.