Tippy Dam
| Company type | Hydroelectric facility |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy |
| Founded | 1918 |
| Founder | Consumers Energy (manager) |
| Headquarters | Manistee County , United States |
Area served | Michigan |
| Products | Hydroelectric power |
| Owner | Consumers Energy |
Tippy Dam—also referred to as Tippy Hydro—is a hydroelectric facility constructed in 1918 and currently managed by Consumers Energy. Initially called Junction Hydro, the dam was later renamed to commemorate Charles W. Tippy, who served on the Consumers Energy board. It crosses the Manistee River roughly 20 miles upstream from where the river enters Lake Michigan and approximately 170 miles downstream from its source.
Recreation uses
The Tippy Dam State Recreation Area, overseen by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, is renowned for fishing opportunities targeting trout, steelhead, and salmon species. Anglers particularly frequent the stretch below the dam during the autumn salmon migration, where king salmon frequently weigh over 20 pounds.
Environmental
The spillway chamber at Tippy Dam provides seasonal habitat for around 24,600 bats, functioning as an important site for both roosting and hibernation.
Statistics
- Power generation capacity: 20,000 kilowatts