oakwoodprojects Aerators 09

>January 2009 oxygen tests were taken on West Oakwood. Due to the extreme
snow cover on the lake the oxygen tests were down to 2 to 2.5 ppm. Larry
Wittmeier, Oakwood Lakes Development Association member visted with members
of the Deuel County Lakes and Streams Association regarding the situation on
Oakwood. Deuel County Lakes and Streams Members met on January 6th and
agreed to loan two of their aerators to the Oakwood Lakes Development
Association. Deuel County Lakes have clear ice and no snow cover and their
oxygen testing is at 8 ppm and therefore not in need of these two aerators at the
present time.
>>With the Approval of Oakwood Lakes Development Association Directors, on
Saturday January 10th Association members and volunteers began the work of
cutting sections of ice out to place these two floating aeration units into the lake. At
noon both of these aerators were plugged into 220V and operating. These units
were placed on the northwest area by Boiler Pass on Tetonkaha Lake of West
Oakwood. With the operation of these two units forcing oxygen into the lake and
movement of the lake water will cause thin ice in that area. A number of "THIN
ICE" signs have been placed in the area where these two aerators are located.
>>>The main aeration system, on West Oakwood, is operating with only one
motor at the present time and a new motor is being acquired on Monday January
12th and will be installed so that system will be working with two motors. With the
addition of the two new aerators it is hoped that it will keep the oxygen content in
the lake from deteriorating further and thus be able to save the fish population in
west Oakwood. Oxygen test will be taken over the course of the next 6 to 8 week to
track the oxygen levels since installing these two aerators.
>>>>The *aerators just installed, consists of an electric motor drive above the
water surface on a float mounting. The motor is connected to a hollow shaft within
a protective housing positioned at a 45 degree angle downward into the water. The
shaft is connected to and drives a propeller beneath the water surface. The propeller
thrust the water past the diffuser, drawing air through intake holes above the water
surface down through the rotating hollow shaft and diffuser into the water.
>>>>>Thanks to the following helpers Roger Bommersbach, Larry Wittmeier,
David Nettleton, Robert Schultz, Kenny Olson, Joel Edman, Shawn Knapp, Reed
Intermill, Jeff Jacobson, Lee Bommersbach, Jeff Verhoek, Shane Wittmeier and
Dylan Wittmeier.
>>>>>>March 8, 2009 an area of water open is over 1000 feet in length and
approximately 200 to 300 feet wide.
*Aeration Industries International, Aire-02, Minnesota