UPPCO Lowering Water Levels at Area Hydro Electric Dams

Ice fisherman, hockey players and anyone else who might venture out onto the open ice is reminded to use extreme caution when around a dam. Water Levels will be changing soon near several hydroelectric dams in the area. As the Upper Peninsula Power Company will be lowering levels at its power generation reservoirs to accommodate for melting snow and precipitation during the spring. Water Levels are currently being lowered at the Silver Lake and Hoist reservoirs. Through out the month Victoria Dam, Bond Falls and Lake Gogebic, will be lowered, and in February Pricket dam in Pelkie will be partially opened. Lowering of the water levels can cause unsafe ice conditions due to an air pocket created under the ice. UPPCO is required by law to lower the water levels as mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and says that levels should return to natural conditions sometime in April.