The river Orkla is the basis for most of what is going on in Orkdalen (Orkla valley) and has given name to the town (from 2014) Orkanger and the new (from 2020), widened commune Orkland. The name possibly comes from the old norse ‘orka’ = work, which may describe the heavy streams in the upper river. There are no natural water magazines in Orkla, so floods are not uncommon. In the flood “Storofsen” in 1789, lives where lost. But it is a good salmon river, with the biggest catch ever being 25 kg.
The river’s own work with creating a delta was not too much appreciated and the lower part of the river was channeled, so the delta could be used for industry instead.
The idea has worked well and there is now a significant amount of industry on Grønøra in Orkanger.
The channeling of Orkla turned the old outlet to a backwater. What to do with that? Plans existed to fill this up for industry as well, but local enthusiasts stopped it from happening. The last 15 years, Orkanger Vel has put great effort into Gammelosen (the old river outlet), and it has given results. Covered with white shell sand, you have the nicest little city beach you can ask for. Pure paradise!
The nice thing about going to a sand beach at winter time, is that you don’t bring half the beach with you back home, because of the snow layer on top! Perfect!
…and for those who for peculiar reasons might not appreciate cold baths: Right by Gammelosen is also Orklandsbadet (since 2020), with everything you could possibly want of water slides, swimming pools and saunas. Enjoy!
For the sporty ones, this where the triathlon race Trøndertri is arranged in august. With some luck the ice is gone before that…