(Lake Park)– Aeration systems have gone into operation on Silver Lake at Lake Park and Ingham Lake In Emmet county. Mike Hawkins, a fisheries biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources tells KUOO news they play an important role in reducing the amount of winter kills in the fish population…
“This year, in particular, water levels are low, the volume of water available for fish to survive a harsh winter is lower, and so the incidents of winter kill can increase during those conditions. Heavy snowfall and thick ice conditions can also increase the likelihood of a winterkill. These aerators don’t necessarily add oxygen to the water, they just create an open hole where gases can exchange with the atmosphere and create a small area where fish can survive.”
Hawkins reminds everyone to stay clear of the areas where the systems are operating. He says the perimeters are marked with warning signs…
“The ice conditions can really change rapidly. We can get a stretch of warm weather that can open those holes up further than even the perimeter of the signs and then during a cold period or a cold snap that can freeze back up and create an unsafe condition. So just be aware of those open water areas and that the ice around those areas can even by dangerous so just give them a wide berth.”
Hawkins says aeration systems on Center Lake and Five Island Lake near Emmetsburg will likely go into operation shortly after the first of the year.
