MENASHA – High water levels resulting from a rainy August and September are causing problems for boat owners in the lower Fox River who need to remove their boats in advance of winter.

To help ease the problem, parts of the Fox River near Neenah and Menasha will see reduced water flow from Lake Winnebago this weekend.

A reduction in lake outflow into the river will result from closing two gates at the Menasha Dam. The flow was to be reduced to 9,300 cubic feet per second, beginning Thursday, and remain in place through the weekend.

The flow is being monitored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

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The reduced flow is a potential solution to concerns raised about the persistent high flows in the lower Fox River preventing boats from being removed.

By lowering the flows, the Corps hopes the boats can now be safely removed ahead of winter.

Conditions of the river flows will be reevaluated on Monday and a decision to possibly re-open the two gates will be made if the water is steady enough.

The Corps reports that levels of Lake Winnebago remain high for this time of the year due to heavy rainfall dating back to August.

Updates and information on water levels, flows and current conditions can be found at www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Great-Lakes-Information/Lake-Winnebago.

Source:  Appleton Post Cresent