Water Quality

Lake Orono is an urban lake created by a dam at the end of a river. As such, it has a very large watershed, or area that affects its water flow and quality. The watershed consists of 70% of Sherburne County and 40% of Benton County; a ratio of watershed to lake of 1260:1.

Watershed Basic: Runoff

What is not absorbed by the soil or is left on high-runoff areas such as driveways, roofs, and decks runs off into streets and ditches. Storm sewers and ditches funnel the water to the river and/or lake. This water is untreated and carries debris and pollutants with it.

Lake Orono Water Quality Committee

In 1995, a joint committee composed of members representing the Lake Orono Improvement Association, the City of Elk River, and Sherburne County Soil and Water Conservation District was formed to address the sedimentation of Lake Orono. After successfully completing the lake dredging in 1998, this group decided to continue and address water quality issues. The group meets approximately every other month.

About the LOWQC [PDF]
Environment Elk River: Water Quality with Lake Orono Water Quality Committee members.

7/6/11 Minutes
Archives

During the dredging process, research indicated that the lake is virtually free of contaminants such as PCBs, metals, etc. However, other issues also affect water quality. The main concerns we have identified are:

• Phosphorus
• Coliform

Continued

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