INDIANA MICHIGAN POWER
I&M To Lower Reservoir Level at Elkhart Hydroelectric Plant to Winter Operating Level

The reservoir level at the Elkhart Hydroelectric Generating Station, located on Johnson Street near downtown Elkhart on the St. Joseph River, will decrease about six inches a day over a four-day period.

Starting next Monday, Dec. 18, the reservoir level at the Elkhart Hydroelectric Generating Station, located on Johnson Street near downtown Elkhart on the St. Joseph River, will decrease about six inches a day over a four-day period. I&M will lower the reservoir level at the facility from 741.5 feet above sea level to 739.5 feet above sea level.

"Indiana Michigan Power encourages those who live along the St. Joseph River, especially residents within eight miles upstream of the Elkhart facility, to take note of the changing water level starting December 18," said Richard Walag, I&M hydroelectric maintenance supervisor. "While the reservoir is at its lower elevation, residents may wish to remove boats or perform work and cleanup activities along the riverbank."

The reservoir level will return to its spring and summer operating level of 741.5 feet above sea level in early spring. The drawdown at the Elkhart Hydroelectric Plant is conducted in accordance with the operating license issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The Elkhart hydroelectric facility has been in operation since 1913 and has a capacity of 3.44 megawatts -- the equivalent of powering 3,500 homes annually. The facility is one of six run-of-river hydroelectric plants on the St. Joseph River I&M owns and operates. "Run-of-river" means all water goes through the generation equipment inside the hydroelectric facility and then the water is passed out of the facility and returned to the river.

Combined, I&M's six hydroelectric facilities generate more than 22 megawatts of electricity - enough to power 15,000 homes a year.

Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,000 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 80% of its energy delivered in 2022 was emission-free.  I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 35 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company's generation portfolio also includes 1,497 MW of coal-fueled generation.

At American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, we understand that our customers and communities depend on safe, reliable and affordable power. Our nearly 17,000 employees operate and maintain more than 40,000 miles of transmission lines, the nation's largest electric transmission system, and more than 225,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver power to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with nearly 29,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including approximately 6,100 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP is investing $43 billion over the next five years to make the electric grid cleaner and more reliable. We are on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and have a goal to achieve net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement and inclusion. AEP's family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:  
Schneè Doyle
Communications Consultant Sr.
574-218-5987
smdoyle@aep.com