Lake aerators now in use

(Above) The streetscape has turned to white as snow and frost have persisted in the past week.-Reporter photo by Chris Barragy.

[caption id="attachment_14696" align="alignleft" width="270"] A good day to stay inside - As the snow fell outside last week, Olivia Larsen and Taylor Krull stopped at Cabin Coffee for a warm-up.-Reporter photo by Chris Barragy.[/caption]

With the onset of ice cover, officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources remind lake users that the winter aeration system is now operating.

The aerators are located on the east shore in front of the Water Treatment Plant and the north shore near the pump station west of Venetian Village.  Individuals using the lake this winter should stay completely away from these open water areas.

According to Scott Grummer, of the Iowa DNR, unsafe ice in the vicinity of the aerators will vary depending upon the weather.  The open water will be marked with reflective thin ice signs once the ice becomes safe enough to travel on.

The aerators are designed to reduce the probability of winter fish kill in an attempt to maintain a high quality fishery.  The other aeration systems in North Central Iowa are located on Crystal Lake, Rice Lake, Silver Lake and Little Wall Lake.

Clear Lake officially froze Dec. 19.   The average ice-in date for Clear Lake is Nov. 28.