Conditions wash away or limit installation of boat barriers

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - The long Memorial Day holiday weekend is
traditionally the unofficial start to summer and - if weather permits - a good time
to get out on the water. Before launching the boat, canoe or kayak, Xcel Energy
reminds the public to use caution when recreating on the fast-flowing rivers,
especially near dams.

Due to high river flows from recent rainfall, Xcel Energy crews have been
unable to safely install boat restraining barriers upstream of the company's
Holcombe, Cornell, Wissota and Chippewa Falls hydro plants on the lower
Chippewa River. In addition, boat barriers upstream of the Thornapple and
Ladysmith hydro plants on the Flambeau River and Saxon Falls hydro plant on the
Montreal River have washed away due to high river flows and debris. Boaters and
fisherman in these areas are urged to use extreme caution when approaching the
dams, keep a safe distance and obey all warning signs and signals.

Typically at this time of year, Xcel Energy crews install a cable with a series
of floats that runs across the rivers to mark a restricted area for boaters upstream of
the dams. The barriers will be installed when the rivers subside and it is safe to do
the work.

Xcel Energy encourages boaters to take precautions that would protect them
in the event of a mechanical failure. The fast river flows mean there is not much
time for rescue before a boat would drift from the barrier location downstream to
the dam. Power is being generated at the powerhouses and excess water is being
discharged through the spillway gates.

"Boating, canoeing or kayaking above or below a dam can be very
dangerous, especially if the flow changes and your boat is anchored in a hazardous
area," said Rob Olson, Hydro Operations at Xcel Energy. "If there's a sudden water
discharge from the spillway gates, you risk capsizing."

Many of the accidents and fatalities that occur near dams could be prevented
by using common sense, practicing safety, staying clear of dams and understanding
the dangers to be found near them.

Xcel Energy offers these tips for personal safety near dams:
• Obey all warning signs, barriers and flashing lights, horns and sirens.
• Wear a personal flotation device (PFD) - a life jacket.
• Always stay outside buoy lines and away from restricted areas near dams.
• Never swim or wade near a dam.
• Never boat or fish alone when near a dam.
• Leave your boat motor running to provide maneuvering power.
• Stay clear of spillways. Changing currents and "boiling" waves can make boat
control difficult near dams.
• Reverse currents occur below dams. They can pull a boat back toward the dam
into the spillway and capsize it.
• Never anchor boats below a dam because water levels can change rapidly.
• Bring a cell phone and contact 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Xcel Energy wants fishermen, boaters, outdoor enthusiasts and visitors to
enjoy the many exceptional recreation resources to be found on rivers and around
dams in the region.
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Xcel Energy operates 19 hydroelectric plants in Wisconsin with a total generating capacity of
about 260 megawatts. Six of those plants are on the Lower Chippewa River and collectively account
for almost one-third of Xcel Energy's total hydro generation capacity. For more information, visit
www.xcelenergy.com and look for "Hydro Safety".

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