The fall drawdown of Lake Zumbro is scheduled to begin on October 31^st. The drawdown is necessary for planned maintenance and shoreline restoration work.  The public should be aware that the drawdown planned for this fall will be substantially greater than normal.  A typical fall drawdown is less than two feet; whereas this year a four foot drawdown will be attempted.  These plans are subject to change depending on rainfall and resulting runoff.  RPU’s drawdown plan is as follows:

• Sunday, October 31^st start the 4 foot drawdown.
  • RPU will plan to draw the lake level down 0.5 feet per day while maintaining a minimum flow of 70 cfs.
• Monday, November 8^th the lake level will be held at 910.5 MSL (4.0 feet below the spillway) for 2 weeks.
• Monday, November 22^nd start to refill the lake level until it reaches the winter pool elevation of 913.0 MSL.

The drawdown plan is subject to change depending on weather conditions.

During the months of November through March, Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) will attempt to maintain the lake level at the winter pool of 913.0 MSL.

Real-time lake level information, along with Lake Zumbro hydro updates are available on the RPU web site (www.rpu.org). For additional information regarding the Zumbro Hydroelectric Facility please contact Tony Benson at (507) 280-1534.

Tips for lake ice safety:

Be extremely careful during winter activities that involve Lake Zumbro such as ice fishing, snowmobiling or just walking out on the frozen lake.

Watch the weather and river flow conditions.

Ice thickness and condition can vary greatly. Be very cautious.

Look out for ice heaves and exposed logs and snags.

Be cautious in the vicinity of the dam. De-icing equipment has been installed along the upstream face of the dam resulting in open water and/or thin ice.

Do not proceed past the warning signs and buoys.

About Rochester Public Utilities

As the municipal utility of Rochester, Minn., for more than 110 years, RPU provides high-quality and reliable electricity to over 47,000 customers.  Water customers number more than 36,000.  RPU continually investigates innovative technologies to help customers realize the best value from the services they receive.  Current initiatives include fuel cell research, wind power, and photovoltaic offerings.

About Rochester Public Utilities

As the municipal utility of Rochester, Minn., for more than 110 years, RPU provides high-quality and reliable electricity to over 56,000 customers.  Water customers number more than 40,000.  RPU continually investigates innovative technologies to help customers realize the best value from the services they receive.  Current initiatives include photovoltaic offerings, wind energy, energy and water efficient equipment, and electric vehicle charging.

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Rochester Public Utilities is celebrating Public Power Week, Oct. 3-9, along with more than 2,000 other community-powered, not-for-profit electric utilities that collectively provide electricity to 49 million Americans.

“This year, we especially celebrate the employees of RPU, the people behind public power,”said Mark Kotschevar, RPU General Manager.  “These folks work tirelessly to keep ourcommunity up and running 24 hours a day seven days a week,” said Kotschevar. “Our dedicated teammates work in many departments including customer care, safety, accounting and finance, communications, field supervision, energy services, and engineering and operations; and pull together with a common goal: keeping Rochester powered.”

“The people behind public power take pride in serving our friends and neighbors with safe, reliable electricity and water services, our most essential needs,” said Kotschevar. “RPU is proud to have served Rochester for over 120 years.”

RPU invites community members to participate in celebrating Public Power Week by visiting the RPU Service Center where kids will receive an RPU Halloween bag with candy and fun activities associated with safety and public power (while supplies last).

About The Public Power Association

Public Power Week is an annual national observance coordinated by the American Public Power
Association. The American Public Power Association is the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. The Association represents public power before the federal government to protect the interests of the more than 49 million people that public power utilities serve, and the 93,000 people they employ. It advocates and advises on electricity policy, technology, trends, training, and operations. Its members strengthen their communities by providing superior service, engaging citizens, and instilling pride in community-owned power. More at www.PublicPower.org

About Rochester Public Utilities

As the municipal utility of Rochester, Minn., for more than 110 years, RPU provides high-quality and reliable electricity to over 56,000 customers.  Water customers number more than 40,000.  RPU continually investigates innovative technologies to help customers realize the best value from the services they receive.  Current initiatives include photovoltaic offerings, wind energy, energy and water efficient equipment, and electric vehicle charging.

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