Welcome to Rusasetvatnet!

You are now entering one of Norway’s largest restored wetlands. There was originally a small lake here that was dammed in the 17th century for use as a reservoir for the mill house at Austrått Manor. Waterworks were built here during the Second World War and this was Ørland’s source of drinking water until 1983. After that the lake was drained for agricultural reasons amidst strong protests from the nature conservation authorities. For the thousands of wading birds who graze in the saltwater flats around Ørland, Rusasetvatnet was a very important source of fresh water. Here they were able to wash the saltwater and mud off themselves, and the area was also a breeding area for several different bird species. After the draining the birds have had to look for similar biotopes across the fjord in Agdenes municipality. Between 2014 to 2017 the lake was restored by the Ørland Cultural Centre with a south bank adapted for public use. Whilst the North bank is reserved for wildlife. The islands in the Northern part of the lake have been built as breeding zones for the bird life. If we are to save our ecosystem from collapse, then projects such as this must not be unique. Every village in Norway has destroyed natural biotopes that can be repaired to provide life support to the diversity of our endangered species. Be inspired by Rusavatnet and do the same in your own municipality!