Dane County’s 2013 Fall Lake Operations for the Yahara Chain of Lakes
October 07, 2013
Kevin Connors
608-224-3731
Key Dates
- Buoy and navigational markers removed starting on October 14, 2013 through November 1, 2013
- (2) Marine Sanitary Dump Stations closed on October 15, 2013
- Tenney Lock –Open through Sunday October 27that 6:00 PM
- Dane County Lake Access Sites Piers will be removed starting November 4, 2013. Note: Babcock County Park (Lake Waubesa) and Fish Camp County Park (Lake Kegonsa) piers will not be removed.
- Seasonal Water Level Changes – Lowering water levels for winter season
Dane County Land & Water Resources Department (LWRD) Director Kevin Connors today announced the 2013 Fall Lake Operations plans for the Yahara Chain of Lakes. According to Connors, each year there are a number of tasks the Department will complete in preparation for the winter season.
Starting the week of October 14th, County staff will begin removing approximately 240 navigational buoys in the Yahara Lakes and River. All buoys will be removed by November 1st. Connors reminds boaters that it is important in the late fall and early spring to be on the alert for underwater hazards that may damage water craft.
The County marine sanitation stations will close for the season on October 15, 2013. The two sanitary dump stations are located at the Tenney Lock/ Breakwall and the Yahara River between Bridge Street and Broadway Avenue.
The Tenney Lock will remain open from 12:00 PM (Noon) – 6:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday through October. The facility will close for the season on Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 6:00 PM. Tenney Lock hours can be found at http://pdf.countyofdane.com/lwrd/parks/2013_Lock_Schedule.pdf. If there is a specific need to access the Tenney Lock during a closed time, please contact the LWRD Office at (608)224-3730.
Connors also reminds boaters and lake front property owners that water levels will gradually be lowered in preparation for winter. To prepare for winter ice and snow pack conditions, the lakes will be lowered to summer minimum levels starting in mid-October. On or around November 1st, water levels on all lakes will transition to their respective winter operating levels. 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 1st. 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.
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