Eau Claire County’s Lake Altoona is about to get a makeover.

Crews are almost ready to start removing sand from the bottom of the lake through a process known as dredging.

Because of the $2 million price tag, Lake Altoona hasn’t been dredged in 10 years. That’s why Lisa Schuetz, with the Lake Altoona Rehabilitation and Protection District, says the bottom of the 800 acre body of water has to be cleaned up.

"What we're planning to dredge is up and down the river to the entrance of Lake Altoona and then right at the mouth of Lake Altoona,” Schuetz said.

She says it is a slow process that sucks up the extra sand from the lake’s bottom – sending it to a holding pile. She says the Lake District hopes to eventually turn those golden grains into cash.

"We are looking to start selling and working on deals to sell large amounts of sand."

But for now, Schuetz says the dredging this summer shouldn’t affect those of you who use the lake.

"Really all they're gonna' see is a dredging boat out there,” Schuetz said. "It won't really affect the lake at all."

Ideally, Schuetz says Lake Altoona should be dredged every 2 years. But, she say financially, that would require what’s called a “special assess” in the Lake District – where members would be taxed extra one time to cover the cost. Schuetz says that idea has been discussed, but there was never any action.