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County Executive's Office

Dane County Has Begun Removing Navigational Buoys from the Yahara Chain of Lakes

October 09, 2012
Kevin Connors 608-224-3731
Land & Water Resources

Dane County Land & Water Resources Department Director Kevin Connors has announced that Department staff has begun removing navigational buoys from the Yahara Chain of Lakes. 

 

The County annually places over 240 buoys in the Yahara Lakes and River to provide aid for navigation and as a warning for underwater navigation hazards.  All buoys will be removed by November 1st.  It is important for all lake users to use extreme caution and be on the alert for underwater hazards that may damage water craft.

 

Due to current dry weather conditions, water levels on all lakes are below their summer target levels.  The Land & Water Resources Department will continue to operate locks and dams with the intent to get each lake to its respective summer minimum until November 1.  After this date, the department will transition to winter operating practice.  Lake levels are drawn down in winter in order to prevent ice damage to the shoreline and to provide for flood storage capacity during spring runoff.

 

While there is no certainty that precipitation may occur to raise the lakes, each owner should monitor water level elevations in order to make sure they can remove their boat before November 1.

 

Piers at county access sites will be removed after November 1.

 

Tenney Lock operations will be open on weekends only from 12 noon to 6 PM Saturday and Sundays in October.  Boaters who need to access through the lock after that date or when the Lock is not in operation may call Dane County Parks at 608-224-3730 to make arrangements.  There is a $25 fee to be locked through during closed times.


Citizens can monitor current lake levels, which are updated daily, at the Dane County Land and Water Resources Department web page:  www.countyofdane.com/lwrd/landconservation/lakelevelpg.aspx

 

Tenney Lock hours can be found at http://pdf.countyofdane.com/lwrd/parks/2012_Lock_Schedule.pdf

 

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