Current water levels

Preserve, Protect and improve the big eau pleine reservoir

Aerator

​BIG EAU PLEINE RESERVOIR AERATOR STARTING
UNSAFE ICE AND OPEN WATER WARNING ISSUED

The aerator system on the Eau Pleine Reservoir will begin operating on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Once the aerator starts, it will create unsafe ice conditions and areas of open water. Fishermen, snowmobilers, and anyone traveling on the ice are urged to obey the rope barriers, flags, and warning signs and avoid the aeration zone. Additional warning signs have been posted at nearby boat landings.

The aerator, located in a narrow section of the 7,000-acre Eau Pleine Reservoir near Big Eau Pleine County Park, is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (Wisconsin DNR) and the Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company (WVIC), in cooperation with the Marathon County Conservation, Planning and Zoning Department (CPZ).

Typically, the aerator is used to maintain adequate oxygen levels in the reservoir to support the fishery. While current oxygen conditions do not necessitate its operation, Wisconsin DNR, WVIC, and CPZ will run the system to test functionality and establish operating procedures for newly installed aerator components. In 2023, the Marathon County Board of Supervisors approved non-tax-levy Environmental Impact Funds to support the aerator upgrades. The new components have been provided to Wisconsin DNR, which owns and manages the aeration system.

​BEPCO has been granted  501(c)(3) tax exempt status. We would like to thank the Clifton, Gunderson LLP office in Marshfield for their assistance in processing our application.