From flood to fix: Mora Lake gets a new outlet

Mora Lake, a natural feature shaped by glacial activity over 9,000 years ago, has long been a defining part of our community. First officially mapped by the U.S. Land Office in the 1850s, the lake expanded in 1885 when a man-made ditch redirected drainage from Spring Lake into Mora Lake.

From 1959 to 2004, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) periodically monitored the lake’s water levels, ultimately establishing the Ordinary High Water Level (OHWL) at 983.9 feet.

A turning point came on July 11, 2018, when a major rainfall event led to widespread flooding across the City of Mora, with the lake area hit especially hard. The flooding forced the closure of Highway 65 for seven days, rerouting summer traffic through downtown Mora. The event was later declared a disaster.

In response to the growing need for flood mitigation, the City of Mora secured a $1.8 million grant in 2023 under Laws 2023, Chapter 72. This funding will support the construction of a gravity outlet pipe designed to regulate lake levels and reduce the risk of future flooding. The system will maintain the lake at or below the OHWL by diverting excess water into a city-owned pond via the urban storm sewer system.

Construction is set to begin this July, with activity centered near the Mora Public Library. Residents can expect to see crews working in the area as this important infrastructure project gets underway.

This will coincide with road reconstruction along Maple Ave.

This project marks a significant step toward protecting our community from future flood events while preserving the natural beauty and balance of Mora Lake.