Tawas - Three Consumers Energy dams on the Au Sable River are getting upgrades this year to improve safety and recreational access.

'Consumers Energy dams are incredible assets in Michigan,' said Matt Carmer, natural resources manager at Consumers Energy. 'The hydro facilities continue generating renewable energy decade after decade to power our state sustainably, and they provide 12,000 acres for our residents and visitors to enjoy amazing outdoor activities. We are committed to making upgrades to keep them safely providing power and world class recreation.'

Portages designed with input from Consumers Energy and the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon representatives are being rebuilt at Alcona Dam and Five Channels Dam, and a new training wall is being built at the Loud Dam tailrace.

The new canoe portage projects will be scheduled to allow for use by Marathon competitors. Work at Loud Dam will not interfere with the 120-mile overnight canoe race that takes center stage in northeast Michigan during the last weekend in July.

At Alcona Dam, a canoe portage is being built on the west side of the river and rip rap is being placed on both sides of the tailrace. That work is scheduled to begin in May and be completed in September. The west side portage is being relocated downstream, away from an existing abrupt drop off for the safety of paddlers.

At Five Channels Dam, while working on a project to install sheet pile upstream of the left and right embankment, Consumers is installing a new canoe portage, similar to one recently built at Foote Dam.

The project at Five Channels Dam will begin in June and will be completed in time for recreational use before the Consumers Energy AuSable River Canoe Marathon is held.

The project to replace the tailrace training wall at Loud Dam began in May and is expected to be completed in October. The Loud impoundment boat launch and canoe portage will remain available during construction.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest energy provider, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

Contact:

Terry DeDoes

Tel: 517-243-9908

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