PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis. – August 10, 2012 – Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), an Alliant Energy company, is continuing construction work at its Prairie du Sac Hydroelectric facility as it moves forward with the installation of a fish passage that will allow sturgeon, paddlefish and other fish species to migrate between the Wisconsin River and Lake Wisconsin.
“While we have been moving forward with the fish passage project over the past several months, much of the activity has been more behind the scenes and has involved primarily planning and engineering work,” said Scott Wilson, Alliant Energy Manager of Hydroelectric Generation. “Starting in mid-August, and continuing for about three months, visitors to the area will notice additional construction work on an access road leading to the future site of the fish passage.”
The cement access road will provide a path for construction equipment to reach the fish passage building site. While the road construction is underway, there will be limited access to the area – known to many as “the island below the lock structure” – for fishing. Visitors are urged to use caution and obey any signage and barriers noting restricted areas around the Prairie du Sac Hydro.
“We understand that the project will disrupt a popular fishing spot and cause some inconvenience, but safety is our number one priority,” added Wilson. “We ask that people stay away from the construction site, use caution in the area and be aware of construction equipment.”
The installation of the fish passage is required under WPL’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Operating License for the Prairie du Sac Hydro. WPL is working in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the project parameters. While WPL will oversee the fish passage construction, the WDNR will operate it on an ongoing basis. More information on the fish passage project is available at www.alliantenergy.com/hydropower.
Media Contact: Scott Reigstad, (608) 458-3145