Jackson County (Press Release) - Jackson County Forestry
and Parks Officials state that Lake Wazee Beach remains open.
Christine Hovell,
Jackson County Health Officer, states that testing completed by USDA officials
identified that the water is safe for swimming and continued testing has not
shown any issues of bacteria in the water.
Routine testing of Lake Wazee Beach
throughout the summer every year has shown that illness causing contaminants in
the water have been practically non-existent. The beach closure appears to be
an isolated event and Lake Wazee
remains a prime destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages, due
to its beauty, pristine water and opportunities for swimming, diving, camping
and recreational opportunities.
Norovirus was identified as
the cause for persons who became ill during
the July 4th weekend. Norovirus is a common virus that can
occur in any environment where persons are in close contact with one another
and has occurred in large numbers in summer camps, nursing homes, schools,
daycares etc. This virus causes stomach
illness such as vomiting and diarrhea and can cause fever, headache and
chills. Persons usually recover from the
virus in a couple of days as long as they remain hydrated.
Lake
Wazee Beach area includes nearly 3 acres of white sand, a sand volleyball
court, shelter for family or special events and picnic areas at a variety of
areas around the beach. Wazee
Lake is a 146-acre lake east of Black River Falls, Jackson County, in the
Mississippi-Chippewa Rivers Region of Wisconsin. The lake is the deepest lake
in the state, with a maximum depth of approximately 350 feet. The lake was
originally used as a quarry for taconite (low-grade iron ore) mining and was the
site of the former Jackson County Iron Mine quarry. The mine was in operation
from the early sixties until April of 1983.
Wazee Lake has become
the most popular scuba diving site in the Midwest, attracting more than 1000
divers annually. The lake is non-motorized to ensure protection of the pristine
water quality, and to promote a "quiet" recreational experience.
The area offers
12 rustic campsites with pit toilets and water, 9 miles of hiking trail, 3
miles of surfaced bicycle trail, a large beach, picnic areas, handicap fishing
pier, boat launch and several scenic vistas of the surrounding forest
land.
Naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts visiting Wazee
Lake will enjoy the beautiful surrounding woodlands, grasslands and water ways
that provide habitat for whitetail deer, muskrats, beavers, mink, otters, and
an occasional timber wolf. Also in abundance are dozens of songbirds and
raptors including owls, hawks, and eagles, and thousands of migrating waterfowl
in the spring and fall.
Lake Wazee Beach and Recreation area is open from 6
a.m. until 11:00 p.m. from May through November.
For more information about Lake Wazee please visit www.co.jackson.wi.us.
