Indiana Michigan Power will begin raising the water level upstream of the Elkhart Hydroelectric Plant next week as part of its annual transition to spring and summer operations.

The utility announced Wednesday that starting Monday, March 16, the reservoir level at the generating facility on the St. Joseph River will increase by about six inches per day for four days. The water level will rise from 739.5 feet above sea level to its seasonal level of 741.5 feet.

The reservoir was lowered by two feet in December 2025 to help reduce ice buildup during the winter months. The seasonal drawdown and refill are conducted in accordance with the plant’s operating license issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Indiana Michigan Power is advising residents along the St. Joseph River – particularly those within about eight miles upstream of the facility – to finish any work or cleanup activities along the riverbank before the water level begins rising on March 16.

The Elkhart Hydroelectric Facility has operated on the St. Joseph River since 1913 and has a generating capacity of 3.44 megawatts.

It is one of six run-of-river hydroelectric plants owned and operated by Indiana Michigan Power along the St. Joseph River. In run-of-river systems, water flows through generating equipment and is then returned directly to the river.

Together, the six facilities generate more than 22 megawatts of electricity annually – enough to power about 15,000 homes.