WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, SportsBEPCO members install new aerator to end fish kill

BEPCO members install new aerator to end fish kill

by Colby Robertson

MARATHON COUNTY (WAOW) -- Right now there's a much needed makeover under way on the Big Eau Pleine. You may remember last spring a lack of oxygen in the reservoir caused a major fish kill.

After months of fundraising, leaders of the Big Eau Pleine Citizens Organization also known as BEPCO are putting in a new aerator.

They still have a lot of work to do to come up with a long term solution to the fish kill. But, for now this new aerator is the best solution. These BEPCO members and community members take time out of their day to upgrade the Big Eau Pleine's aerator system.

It's a system first installed back in 1981 and after years it virtually stopped working.

Ronnie Rahm, BEPCO member says, "I've been here for ten years and this is as bad as it's been. The last three years has been really bad."

This is the problem they were faced with last spring. Hundreds of dead fish floating on the surface of the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir. After months of fundraising the Big Eau Pleine Citizens Organization has $54,000 to put in a new aerator and hopefully end the fish kill.

BEPCO Vice President, Michael Paul says,"On the short term plan we're looking to get this fixed up. It's a big improvement from the one that was put in in 1981. Bigger pipelines going in the blowers have all been fixed up. Everything has been upgraded."

The plan is to feed the water down from the aerator building through three and a half miles of PVC pipes. They'll fan out from there allowing more natural oxygen to get between the air and the water. But, unfortunately there's no guarantee.

Paul says, "If we have an ice melt with some pollution run off event we can get a slug of bad water we could have a fish kill we've got a lot more water this year so we're not anticipating any problems, but unfortunately there's no guarantees in life."

Still, BEPCO members are excited about this short term plan and they hope come spring they'll see some fish in the water.

Rahm says, "It means everything. You've got to get the water cleaned up. You've got to keep the fish alive."

As for a long term plan they're looking at some of the historical projects to see what has worked and what hasn't worked in the past.

They hope to have the aerator installed by the end of this week.

They are still looking for volunteers. If you would like to help out call (715) 457-6953.

Online Reporter: Colby Robertson