Loch Ness Monster Sculpture Kicked Out Of Wisconsin River

By Samantha Abernethy in News on May 4, 2012 9:20PM

Nessie is creeping around in the waters of Wisconsin.

This piece of guerrilla art appeared in the Chippewa River near Eau Claire, Wis., and while it's cute, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wants it gone. It's not because the DNR is a buzzkill (they also cockblocked that nude beach), but they say it is "an illegal obstruction in a navigable waterway." DNR has given 10 days for the person to remove the sculpture voluntarily before they move it themselves.

Nessie won't be homeless, though. "Save big money at..." Menards has expressed interest in hosting Nessie at a retention pond on its property, and said it would pay to have it moved. The DNR says it'd like to keep it in the family, perhaps placing it on land with Parks and Recreation. "Hopefully we can find a way to display it that doesn't create a violation of state law or a safety hazard," a spokesman said.

The Eau-Claire Leader-Telegram writes:

A person claiming to be the creator of the sculpture emailed the Leader-Telegram and Volume One magazine Thursday, stating the sculpture will be removed voluntarily in the next 10 days. The email contained details about the monster's construction, including that the eye in the sculpture is a red bottle cap, not a stone.

"As much as I would like to leave it there, I don't want the DNR finding out it was me and fining me for it," the email stated.

The artist goes by the name "The Phoenix," and he also claims to have placed the wooden rabbit's head in the river last year.