(Michigan Department of Natural Resources photo) A review of the 2025 deer season is expected Thursday during a meeting of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Western Upper Peninsula Advisory Council.

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Western Upper Peninsula Advisory Council is scheduled to receive a preliminary overview of the 2025 deer season Thursday.

The meeting will take place virtually in a web conference from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern time. The council will also hear updates on white nose syndrome in Michigan bats and the status of western U.P. trails.

For virtual meeting details, or public comment instructions, contact Kristi Dahlstrom at DahlstromK@Michigan.gov or 906-226-1331.

***

Upper Peninsula Power Co. is urging caution around hydroelectric reservoirs. In accordance with its dam licensing, UPPCO lowers water levels at the reservoirs to prepare for melting snow and precipitation in spring.

The Silver Lake and Hoist Dam reservoirs are being lowered this month. The Victoria Dam reservoir will be lowered beginning in January and Bond Falls, Lake Gogebic and Prickett Dam reservoir levels will be lowered beginning in February.

These changing reservoir levels may impact ice conditions.

“Water level changes can lead to unsafe ice conditions due to the formation of an air gap underneath the ice,” said Dan Freeborn, UPPCO manager of communications and external affairs. “Increased water flowing through the rivers may also cause the ice to deteriorate, creating unsafe ice conditions to develop. We are asking everyone to exercise caution around the hydroelectric reservoirs and nearby rivers, lakes and streams during the lowering periods.”

UPPCO’s hydroelectric reservoirs are expected to begin returning to their normal water levels during the month of April, depending on the rate of snow melt and the onset of spring.

***

The Keweenaw Peninsula is bracing for an Alberta Clipper this weekend. The region has already broken through the 4-foot snowfall mark.

The Keweenaw Snowmobile Club has been at work clearing trails from Toivola to Copper Harbor. Unique to the rest of Michigan, most of the trails north of Calumet are operated on private property, so it’s important to respect posted signage and only use open trails.

At this time, the Portage Lake Lift Bridge has not been lowered for snowmobile traffic. The bridge cannot be opened until after Dec. 15 when the shipping season ends and the club reaches an agreement with several local agencies who operate the bridge traffic.

***

Lakes Online is a six-week course designed for anyone curious or passionate about inland lakes. Led by Michigan State University Extension educators and state agency experts, the course explores lake ecology, watersheds, shoreline management, water law, aquatic plants and community involvement.

Introduction to Lakes Online runs Jan. 20 to March 27. Register by Jan. 5 for the early-bird discounted rate of $95 per person; after that, the cost is $115. Registration closes Jan. 27.

Course details and scholarship information is available on the Introduction to Lakes Online course webpage at https://www.canr.msu.edu/courses/introduction-to-lakes.

For more information, contact Paige Filice, MSU Extension, 517-676-7291, or Joe Nohner, DNR, 517-599-6825.