MARQUETTE, MI-- Upper Peninsula Power Company is preparing to lower water levels at its hydroelectric reservoirs to prepare for the coming spring runoff.
Water level drawdowns at the Victoria and Bond Falls reservoirs will begin this month, while the Prickett Hydro Dam reservoir drawdown will start in February. UPPCO’s Lake Gogebic reservoir is expected to be lowered between now and the end of February.
Officials warn a drop in water levels may cause “bridging”, where a space is created under the ice. Increased water flows in rivers associated with the hydro facilities may also deteriorate the ice from the underside, creating unsafe ice conditions.
Officials say the public needs to be extremely careful around all reservoirs, lakes, and associated rivers this time of year.
