UPPCO warns of unstable ice on Escanaba River

The Upper Peninsula Power Company, UPPCO, is warning snowmobilers, cross country skiers, snow bikers, ice fishermen, hikers and all recreational enthusiasts to use extreme caution as thin ice conditions may exist on or near the Boney Falls Reservoir on the Escanaba River.

The hydro reservoir in the southern corner of Marquette County and Western Delta County is experiencing changing ice conditions due to changing water levels.

Changing reservoir water levels may cause areas of open water or “ice-bridging,” a condition in which a lower water level leaves a gap under the ice. Increased water flows may deteriorate the ice from the underside and result in unstable and unsafe ice conditions. These areas may not be easy to identify, so UPPCO is urging the public to be extremely careful while recreating on the reservoir or the river upstream from the Boney Falls hydroelectric facility.

UPPCO’s service area extends into 10 of the 15 counties in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula or about 4,460 square miles and the utility provides electric service to nearly 52,000 customers.