News Release

Issued: February 21, 2020

Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company
2301 North Third Street
Wausau, WI 54403

For more information contact:

Ben Niffenegger, Manager of Environmental Affairs

EAU PLEINE RESERVOIR AERATOR STARTING

UNSAFE ICE AND OPEN WATER WARNING ISSUED

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) personnel and Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company (WVIC) will begin operation of the aerator system in the Eau Pleine Reservoir on Monday, February 24, 2020, according to WVIC, Wausau. The Eau Pleine is a 7,000-acre storage reservoir located in southwest Marathon County. The aerator is located in a narrow stretch of the reservoir adjacent to the Big Eau Pleine County Park.

With the start of the aerator comes public notice to fishermen, snowmobilers and others traveling on the ice that aerator operation creates unsafe ice conditions and open water. DNR personnel have installed rope barriers set off with flags and reflective signs across the entrances to the area to warn of the danger. Warning signs have also been posted at the boat landings.

Aerator helps maintain oxygen levels

The aerator is put into operation to help maintain adequate oxygen levels in the water for the fishery. The start of aerator operation is timed to take advantage of favorable dissolved oxygen (DO) levels and to help maintain them, particularly in the aerator area.

-End of Release-

Downloads
Filename	Description	Date Added
Eau Pleine Aerator-Starting 2-24-20 News Release.pdf	Press Release	02/21/2020