About Us
Our Organization
The Friends of Lake Orange was organized in 2008. We are a social organization dedicated to maintaining Lake Orange's environment through effective water management, retaining a wide variety of wildlife, and permitting family recreational oppotunities.
We recognize Lake Orange as an important asset to downstream water users, to area wildlife and to Lake Orange's recreational users. Our goals are to protect and enhance our environment and water quality plus to enjoy safe and responsible recreational opportunities.
Lake Orange is designated by the State of NC as the primary source of water in Orange County for defined water users including the Town of Hillsborough (TOH) Water Utility. The TOH built its own reservoir (West Fork Eno Reservoir called the WFER) which will contain about 1.7 Billion gallons, more than 4 times as much available water as Lake Orange. One of our highest goals is to obtain equitable allocations of water discharges from the WFER with relief to demands on Lake Orange’s water supply.
Lake Orange was developed in the late 1960’s. It is owned and managed by Orange County. Water withdrawals are subject to a state level agreement established in the 1980’s that define required water discharges based on the flow of water measured in the Eno River at Hillsborough.
Access to Lake Orange for recreational activities is controlled by Lake Orange, Inc. John Tolar is its president. See bottom of this page for Lake Orange, Inc. contact information.
The Friends of Lake Orange is a tax exempt social organization. Our Articles of Association shown below via a link.
Our Board of Directors
Mike Bruhns, President
Ted Readyhough, Vice President
Ken Terlep, Treasurer
John Guibert
Rob Currie
Whit McMillan