UPPCO Urges Caution Near Hydraulic Reservoirs as the Utility Begins Lowering Water Levels

UPPCO urges caution around reservoirs as the utility company begins to lower water levels at several locations. UPPCO will begin lowering water levels in January at the Silver Lake, Hoist, Victoria Dam, Bond Falls, and Lake Gogebic reservoirs. And then in February UPPCO will lower water levels at the Prickett River Dam. UPPCO will need to lower the water levels at these locations to prepare for melting snow and precipitation in the spring which are required by the Federal Energy Regulator Commission. As the water is lowered conditions can become unsafe due to air gaps formed beneath the surface. Increased water can also deteriorate the ice formed on top of the reservoirs. UPPCO anticipates that water levels in those areas will return to normal in April, depending on the rate of snow melt and the start of spring weather conditions.