County and Department of Natural Resources representatives narrowed the focus of an Albert Lea Lake aeration plan Wednesday, deciding to pursue a single winter aerator rather than multiple devices around the lake.

Thursday, August 16, 2001

County and Department of Natural Resources representatives narrowed the focus of an Albert Lea Lake aeration plan Wednesday, deciding to pursue a single winter aerator rather than multiple devices around the lake.

The county had originally applied for a permit to install several year-round aerators, with the aim of avoiding winter fish kills and, it was hoped, consuming bottom sediment and lowering nutrient levels, said Bob Moody, a fisheries specialist with the DNR.

The DNR, however, is not sold on uses for aerators other than providing winter-time oxygen to avoid fish kills, Moody said.

&uot;Those (other) things are less proven and more experimental,&uot; Moody said.

The DNR will process the amended application, which the county is expected to submit soon, Moody said. The permit can’t be granted until after a public-comment period that begins today and ends Aug. 31. If more than 25 written requests are submitted during the comment period, the DNR must hold a public hearing before approving the aerator, Moody said.

While no decision has been made on the location of the aerator, Moody said the best choice is a spot along the south shoreline east of the I-35 bridge. The location is far from public accesses and is unpopular for ice fishing. An aerator can cause safety concerns in the winter because it creates an area of open water and weakened ice, Moody said.

While the DNR doesn’t think Albert Lea Lake requires aeration to avoid a winter fish kill, it will not oppose the application for a single winter aerator. Applications for other aerators, with other purposes, will be considered in the future, Moody said.