Heavy rains, inches of new snow and melting of the winter's snow pack means outdoor enthusiasts need to be extra careful around northern Wisconsin hydro-electric facilities.
Wisconsin Public Service spokesperson Matt Cullen says rising water can be trouble around the dams...
".....this is the time of the year when you have melting snow and water run off such as the storms that passed through earlier this week. What Wisconsin Public Service wants to do is remind outdoor enthusiasts, boaters, fishers, to be mindful that river flows can be increased around our facilities this time of the year...."
Cullen says things can change quickly near those facilities....
"..water levels around hydroelectric facilities are subject to sudden changes.both above and below the facilities. There are also unpredictable currents that can occur both above and below the dams, debris and hidden hazards that can pass through the dams. That is why we want everyone to be mindful of these increased river flows and to take proper safety precautions if they are going to be around our dams..."
Cullen says obey all warning signs and horns, wear a life jacket, have a cell phone available, stay outside the buoy lines and restricted areas near dams and think ahead of an escape route, just in case.
