The Wisconsin River is at its highest level since last spring. The Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company of Wausau owns and operates 21 reservoirs along the Wisconsin River. Operations manager Sam Morgan says nearly three inches of rainfall in the last month caused significant runoff leading to the increased levels; good news for paper mills and utilities who use hydroelectric dams for power. The increased levels also raised capacity in the 21 reservoirs within central Wisconsin by six percent since late November. Morgan last saw peak levels almost 25 years ago. He predicts the river will reach peak levels again in another 25 years.
(audio Matt Lehman, WSAU )