UPPCO to lower water levels at Dead River reservoir

MARQUETTE — Water levels at a hydroelectric reservoir located on the Dead River System will begin to be lowered in preparation for the upcoming spring runoff season.

The Upper Peninsula Power Company has announced that the lowering will be going on through April 1st at the reservoir connected with the Hoist Project. UPPCO officials say they lower the levels to make room for the anticipated melting snow and spring precipitation.

They add that the public should be very careful around areas where lowering occurs as it leads to “bridging”, a condition where there’s a gap under the ice, resulting in unstable ice conditions. The reservoir should return to its normal water level in April, depending on the rate of snow melt and spring precipitation.