As fishing fever hits the area, one official cautions residents to use safety precautions around dams. The Wisconsin River is a wonderful place to recreate, but also can have its dangers, said Phil Valitchka of Wisconsin Valley Improvement, Wausau. Gov. Scott McCallum has declared Dam Safety Awareness Week for May 5-11.
Dams can create danger if outdoor recreationalists fail to use caution and obey warning signs.
Fishing by boat near dams is an attraction for fisherman because during high flow season, wind flow exceeds the capacity of the hydraulic dams, and when the spill gates are open, the water flow has a tendency to attract the critters that fish are attracted to, like plankton, Valitchka said. The irony is that a boat can get into those flows and actually be drawn up toward the dam, he said. Fishermen should keep the motor running and away from currents, he said. They should never anchor in high flow, which creates a reverse flow and prevents boaters from maneuvering. A gradual snow melt and warm-up, mixed with heavy rains in April to the south, set up good conditions for river and reservoir levels locally.