FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, September 26, 2025

 

Wolf River Hydropower LP (WRHLP) wishes to inform shoreline owners, stakeholders, and local authorities that a directive has been issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to WRHLP to develop a plan and schedule to reduce the water levels in the Wolf River downstream of Keshena and upstream of Balsam Row Dam.

WRHLP filed their proposed plan with the FERC on Monday, September 22, 2025. It proposed to reduce the water level in the Wolf River upstream of the Balsam Row Dam and downstream of Keshena no more than 5 feet over 15 days beginning no earlier than October 1, 2025.

The purpose of the water level reduction at Balsam Row Dam is to assure the dam can safely pass water downstream during the upcoming winter conditions.

In a meeting with the FERC yesterday, WRHLP was told verbally that FERC is going to deny the proposed 5-foot drawdown and will require the full drawdown of 14 feet for safer winter operation. Although no letter has yet been received from the FERC, WRHLP is providing the most-current information to all stakeholders as they become aware of it.

WRHLP is currently working with regulatory agencies and several other stakeholders to minimize environmental impacts and inconveniences. WRHLP also continues its planning work on the repairs required to safely operate the dam during the winter months. While the repairs may get completed prior to winter, the drawdown needs to be completed in October to minimize impacts to sensitive species during winter hibernation.

WRHLP continues to recommend shoreline owners along the Wolf River downstream of Keshena and upstream of the Balsam Row Dam to start planning to complete their winter removal of boats and docks prior to October 1, 2025.

For questions or additional information, please contact Daniel Charette at [email protected] or by telephone at 514-980-5841.