For Release: 02/26/2010

Hoist Reservoir to be Lowered For Spring Runoff

Houghton, MI - Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) is preparing for spring runoff by lowering the water level at its Hoist Reservoir. Starting in late February, the reservoir will slowly be drawn down approximately four feet over the next few weeks to reach the target level by March 21.

"This type of drawdown has been done in other years to make room in the reservoir for melting snow and spring precipitation," said Bob Meyers, Project Manager - Regional Generation.

Because there's still ice on the reservoir, lowering the water may cause "bridging," a condition in which the lower water leaves a gap under the ice. Increased flows from the reservoir may also deteriorate the ice in the Dead River near the facility 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 reservoir should begin returning to its normal elevation about mid April, depending on snow melt and spring weather conditions.

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