For Release: 12/29/2009

UPPCO's Reservoirs to be Lowered for Spring Runoff

Houghton, MI - Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) is preparing for spring runoff by lowering the water levels at its hydro reservoirs in the western Upper Peninsula. The company used to begin the drawdowns in February or March but is starting earlier as a condition of its Interim Operating Agreements with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Victoria reservoir will be lowered approximately eleven feet beginning January 1, and Prickett reservoir will be lowered approximately six feet beginning February 1. Bond Reservoir is already at its winter operating level.

"We do this every year prior to spring runoff to make room in the reservoirs to accommodate melting snow and spring precipitation," said Jim Melchiori, Supervisor Regional Generation.

Because there's still ice on the reservoirs, lowering the water may cause "bridging," a condition in which the lower water level leaves a gap under the ice. Increased flows from the reservoirs may also deteriorate the ice in the rivers and make it unstable, even though it may appear solid. Unstable areas may not be easy to identify, so UPPCO asks the public to use extra caution around all its reservoirs and associated rivers at this time of year.

The reservoirs should begin returning to their normal elevations about mid-April, depending on snow melt and spring weather conditions.

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