MARQUETTE – Upper Peninsula Power Company announced that due to significant spring runoff and continued spill operations, buoy safety lines will not be installed at the McClure and Dam 3 reservoirs until early June.

Buoy safety lines are typically installed prior to Memorial Day. However, current high-flow conditions and active spillways make installation unsafe. As a result, the buoy lines will not be in place at McClure and Dam 3 until early June.

“We are asking the public to be extra vigilant when recreating on the McClure and Dam 3 reservoirs and to stay away from the facilities and spillways,” said Dan Freeborn, manager of Communications and External Affairs. “Active spillways create stronger-than-normal currents, which prevents us from safely installing the buoy lines used to warn recreationists of nearby hazards.”

Flows are slowly subsiding, and UPPCO expects to have the buoy safety lines installed during the first part of June. UPPCO reminds the public to use caution when recreating near hydroelectric facilities and to obey all posted warning signs.