About Lake Onalaska Rehabilitation Coalition
Our Mission
At Lake Onalaska Rehabilitation Coalition, our mission is to restore and protect the health of Lake Onalaska and its surrounding habitats.
We believe that clean water, thriving wetlands, and a resilient river ecosystem are as essential to community wellbeing as a safe place to call home. Through habitat restoration, community-driven advocacy, and hands-on support, we work tirelessly to ensure every person and every species along the Mississippi Valley can flourish.
Advocate
The Lake Onalaska Rehabilitation Coalition (LORC) advocates for the long-term preservation, protection, and restoration of Lake Onalaska and its surrounding ecosystems. Central to its mission is the restoration of ecological health across the lake and the broader Mississippi River basin, ensuring clean water, resilient habitats, and sustainable recreational use. LORC works to enhance public access for boating, fishing, and wildlife observation, while safeguarding critical fish and wildlife habitats—especially overwintering zones and migratory bird corridors. The coalition also prioritizes efforts to combat sedimentation and nutrient pollution, which threaten water quality, aquatic biodiversity, and the overall vitality of the region. Through strategic restoration projects and community-driven advocacy, LORC aims to secure a healthier, more vibrant future for Lake Onalaska.
Partnerships
Following the North Shore Drive dredging project, LORC plans to spearhead future Lake Onalaska restoration projects, while BPCA will continue to emphasize conservation and education. LORC's continue to fundrais and focus on Lake Onalaska environmental advocacy and lobbying to ensure a thriving Lake Onalaska for fish, wildlife, and future generations.
As is common with many water systems in the United States, there exists a private, non-profit charitable organization that partners alongside a governmental entity that manages the water system. Lake Onalaska has not had the benefit of such a relationship, until now. Shown above illustrates how LORC differs from LOPRD (the Lake District), but our collective focus and emphasis on Lake Onalaska are lock-step consistent.
Our Organizational Structure
While LORC is in its infancy, we have several talented individuals with experience and skills that immediately benefit our efforts in La Crosse County water conservation. We are always looking for more volunteers to support our mission of Onalaska environmental advocacy, particularly as we focus on Lake Onalaska and the broader Mississippi River basin restoration. In particular, we still need three more board members, three more officers, and several committee leads, as shown above. If you are interested in getting more involved with LORC and contributing to Onalaska WI lake restoration, please write to lakeonarehab@gmail.com.