Drought won't hurt show, Aqua Jays say

By SHELLY BIRKELO ( Contact ) Friday, June 22, 2012

JANESVILLE — The Rock Aqua Jays say low water in the Rock River won't be a problem for this weekend's Mercury Open show ski tournament at Traxler Park.

"I think everything is back to a summer normal," said Gerry Luiting, who is a veteran skier with the Aqua Jays and who lives along the Rock River near Edgerton.

"There's not a lot of water movement anywhere in the river, and below the (Centerway) dam is shallow, but I think everything is back to a summer normal," he said.

"We're probably experiencing slightly below (water levels) above the dam, but it's within the ranges set by FERD (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)," he said.

The commission regulates the Centerway Dam in downtown Janesville.

Luiting said Rock River levels haven't been normal since at least July 2007.

"Flooding started in the beginning of August 2007, and it kept coming, coming and coming," he said.

If the river drops another eight inches, Luiting said, the Aqua Jays would be worried.

"But we don't really have any big concerns right now," he said. "So for us, everything is a go, and everything is looking good."

A dozen show ski teams will be on the river starting at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Aqua Jays ski first Sunday morning.

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