Chronology of 2017-2018 Rice Lake Winter Aeration project
January 20, 2018 - Aerator deployed!
As of Saturday afternoon, the aerator has been put in place and turned on for the remainder of the winter season. It will run 24x7 until the ice is out in the spring and aeration is no longer needed. An expanded area of open water should develop in the coming weeks from the original 12’x7’ hole which was opened up this weekend.
Thin Ice signs have been posted around the perimeter of the area expected to open up.
PLEASE EXERCISE CAUTION IF YOU VENTURE INTO THIS AREA!!!
January 19, 2018 - Aerator to be deployed this weekend
The aerator has been repaired and will be deployed this weekend in the original location in the far NW corner of the lake. Please use caution when in the area, as the power cable (which runs from the shoreline out to the aerator) is situated on top of the ice rather than under.
January 26, 2018 - Aerator open water is expanding
As of this Friday afternoon, the aerator has expanded an open water area of roughly 25' x 100' due east of the aerator. The orange snow fence which had been installed on January 20 fell down in the latest snowstorm, but was righted today.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO EXERCISE CAUTION IF YOU VENTURE INTO THIS AREA!!!
December 27, 2017 - Submitted request to Xcel Energy to restore power
Xcel needs to turn power back on at the box. They should have this done within a couple of days.
December 26, 2017 - Winter Aerator panel & Power passed City inspection
The next step is for our electrician to connect the cables and motor so the unit can be deployed, once Xcel Energy turns on the power to the meter. Hope to get this done by January 14th.
December 22, 2017 - Winter Aerator panel & Power reconnected
Electrician connected cables to the meter and mounted panel in the ground. Waiting for City of Maple Grove to complete inspection. (Click here for photo of restored meter, panel and post)
December 1, 2017 - Winter Aerator cable retrieved from the lake
The 350' power cable was retrieved from the lake and will be stored off-site until the power panel and cable can be repaired and reconnected. A determination will be made at a later date if the aerator will be re-deployed and run for the winter, based on the weather conditions.
November 30, 2017 - Winter Aerator recovered and left on shore
With the help from the Hennepin County Water Patrol, the aerator was rescued from the middle of the lake. 2 of the 3 anchors were also recovered.
November 28, 2017 - Winter Aerator broke free from moorings!
The winter aerator, which was anchored in the NW corner of the lake, has drifted out across the lake towards the east shoreline in the heavy winds yesterday/today. It presently appears to be hung up halfway across the lake towards the eastern shoreline. If anyone has any suggestions/resources on how to rescue it, contact us at ricelakeassoc@comcast.net. Thank you! (Click for details of this event)
November 2 2017 - Winter Aeration signs posted along shoreline
In preparation for the winter aeration later this season, signs were posted at various entry points to the lake reminding everyone that winter aeration will be conducted on the lake which will mean there will be areas of open water present. Please use caution when venturing out onto the lake once winter aeration begins.
October 28 2017 - Lake Update
Pulled out Slow/No Wake buoys today and set out the Winter Aerator in the far NW corner of the lake to run for the winter season to help oxygenate the water and sustain our fish population. Aerator will be turned on later as ice begins to form and Thin Ice and other Warning signs will be posted shortly thereafter.
April 23, 2018 - Aerator turned off for the season
As of late this afternoon, the aerator was turned off for the season. It will be retrieved from the lake once we are able to get boats out there to work on it.
