The UWPD Lake Rescue & Safety Unit has concluded its 115th season of service on Lake Mendota. The unit’s calls for service have resulted in over 250 people being helped on the lake this year. Not only did we assist our local UW sailing community, but we were also called in to assist the Madison Fire Department, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, and other local agencies throughout the county.
This year, we added a new small rescue boat to our fleet: a Yamaha jet boat. We are excited to explore using jet boats instead of traditional propellor boats. The jet boat has performed well on Lake Mendota and allowed us to support swimmers during the Madison Ironman in September. We look forward to expanding our jet boat fleet to deliver safer public safety services to the community.
As winter approaches, we want to remind people that the water is cold and will continue to get colder. If you get out on the lake this fall, please wear a life jacket. Once the lake freezes, remember that no ice is 100% safe. We do not monitor local ice conditions — local bait shops and fishing groups will likely provide you with the most current information. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has several safety tips regarding ice safety.
Lake Rescue & Safety will be back in operation next April 2025. We are enthusiastically looking forward to serving the communities of Lake Mendota for another year. Don’t forget: we typically hire people every year to work as seasonal employees. For more information, please keep an eye on our website. The hiring process typically starts in January.