SOUTH BEND, Ind., Dec. 5, 2011 - Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) will begin its annual drawdown of the St. Joseph River upstream of the Elkhart Hydroelectric Project on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. The reservoir will be lowered two feet to 739.5 feet, which is the targeted operating level during winter months. The headwater will be returned to its normal operating level in early spring.

Every year at this time the headwater level is lowered in an effort to minimize ice buildup near County Road 17 at Six Span Bridge. The drawdown is conducted in accordance with the Elkhart project's operating license issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The Elkhart facility is one of six run-of-river hydroelectric plants owned by I&M on the St. Joseph River. The Elkhart hydroelectric facility generates 3.44 megawatts of electricity; the equivalent of serving 3,500 homes.