Victoria Powerhouse Project Planned During 2024- Flow Patterns From Powerhouse and Dam Will Be Affected

Marquette – Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) is announcing the Victoria hydroelectric generation powerhouse will be under construction during the summer and fall of 2024. Starting on June 17, 2024, and continuing through mid-November, the Victoria powerhouse will be taken offline so that equipment upgrades can be completed. During this timeframe, water from the Victoria Dam will be routed around the powerhouse via the existing bypass and spillway. This will cause the North Country Trail to become inaccessible where the trail crosses the West Branch of the Ontonagon River. Fishing opportunities will also be unavailable immediately downstream of the powerhouse.

“We are making the public aware of these developments because of the impact they will have on fishing and recreational opportunities in the area,” said Brett French, Vice President of Business Development and Communications. “Redirecting water around the powerhouse and through the bypass is the opposite of what we typically do during this time of the year. As such, we want to ensure North Country Trail hikers and anyone wanting to fish or portage canoes in the vicinity of Victoria are aware of the impact of these temporary changes.”

UPPCO is also reminding the public to be safe whenever recreating near hydroelectric generation facilities and to obey all posted warning signs at all times.