Michigan has a significant history and infrastructure for hydroelectric power. While there are over 2,500 dams in the state, only 99 are currently used to generate electricity and are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
The following sections break down the major hydroelectric facilities and the companies that manage them.
Major Hydroelectric Power Plants
Michigan’s hydroelectric plants are primarily concentrated along its major river systems, such as the Au Sable, Muskegon, and Menominee Rivers.
| Plant Name | Location (River/County) | Capacity (MW) | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardy Dam | Muskegon River, Newaygo Co. | 30.0 | Consumers Energy |
| Edison Sault | St. Marys River, Sault Ste. Marie | 27.0 | Edison Sault Electric |
| Tippy Dam | Manistee River, Manistee Co. | 20.0 | Consumers Energy |
| Hodenpyl Dam | Manistee River, Wexford Co. | 18.0 | Consumers Energy |
| Peavy Falls | Michigamme River, Iron Co. | 15.0 | We Energies |
| Victoria Dam | Ontonagon River, Ontonagon Co. | 12.0 | UPPCO |
| Croton Dam | Muskegon River, Newaygo Co. | 9.0 | Consumers Energy |
| Foote Dam | Au Sable River, Iosco Co. | 9.0 | Consumers Energy |
Specialized Facility: Ludington Pumped Storage
While not a traditional river dam, the Ludington Pumped Storage Power Plant is one of the largest “batteries” in the world. It pumps water from Lake Michigan up into a massive reservoir during low-demand periods and releases it through turbines to generate up to 2,172 MW of electricity during peak demand.
Key Operators in Michigan
Most hydroelectric power in the state is managed by a few large utility companies:
- Consumers Energy: Operates 13 hydroelectric plants, many of which are historic landmarks. Their largest facilities are on the Au Sable, Manistee, and Muskegon Rivers.
- Indiana Michigan Power (I&M): Operates several “run-of-river” plants in Southwest Michigan, including the Buchanan, Berrien Springs, and Constantine dams.
- Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO): Manages 7 hydroelectric sites across the U.P., providing critical renewable energy to rural areas.
- We Energies: Operates plants primarily in the Western U.P. and along the Menominee River border with Wisconsin, such as Twin Falls and Chalk Hill.
Important Considerations
- Safety & Hazard Levels: Many of these dams are classified as “High Hazard” not because they are failing, but because a failure would significantly impact downstream residents. For instance, the Cascade Dam in Kent County maintains a strict Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for this reason.
- Aging Infrastructure: Many of Michigan’s dams were built in the early 1900s. Significant rehabilitation projects, like the recent work on Barton Dam in Ann Arbor (scheduled through 2027), are ongoing to ensure safety and efficiency.
- Recreation: Most hydroelectric reservoirs double as major recreational sites for boating, fishing, and camping, particularly the “Hydro Loop” of dams along the Au Sable River.
Would you like me to find more detailed information on a specific dam or look up the current water levels for any of these sites?