Symposium Description:
When two dams in a four-dam system in mid-Michigan failed during an extreme rain event in May of 2020 and two other lakes were lowered, it captured global attention. As the Counties’ Delegated Authority for the lakes, Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF) is repairing the dams and restoring the lakes and surrounding ecosystems. It’s blazing an engineering, regulatory and environmental path at a time where there is significant public policy focus on infrastructure. At the Four Lakes Task Force “Path to Four Lakes Restoration: An Engineering and Technical Symposium,” attendees will glimpse the complexity of this restoration project, learn from the firms involved, and be able to talk to the experts responsible for restoring the four lakes and dams. Presentations and panel discussions will cover the following topics: hydrology and hydraulics, dam safety and construction, environmental impacts, and the path forward for Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF). Vendors booths and displays will feature firms and consultants involved in the FLTF project: engineering, meteorology, environmental planning, public policy and government. |
Date: Thursday, October 20, 2022
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET Location: Midland Center for the Arts 1801 W. St. Andrews Rd. Midland, MI 48640 Attendees: Those with an interest in and understanding of technical engineering concepts will get the most out of the symposium Registration: Symposium is free to attend. Registration closes September 30, 2022 |
Engineering and Technical Symposium agenda
Time |
Session |
Presenter |
7:30 - 8:30 am |
Exhibitor booths open; Attendee check-in |
|
8:30 - 9:00 am |
Welcome and Introduction |
|
9:00 - 10:00 am |
Hydrology and Hydraulics of the Tittabawassee and Tobacco Rivers |
|
10:15 am - 11:15 am |
Engineering Design and Construction of the Proposed Repairs and Reconstruction of the Four Lakes Dams |
|
1:00 - 1:45 pm |
Keynote Address |
|
1:45 - 2:15 pm |
Path Forward |
|
2:30 - 3:30 pm |
An Ecosystems Approach to Lake Restoration |
|
3:30 - 4:00 pm |
Closing Remarks |
|
5:00 pm |
Exhibitor booths close |
Session Details
Session 1 - Welcome and Introduction
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM | Dave Kepler, President, Four Lakes Task Force Hear a firsthand account of the dam failures and the journey that has unfolded since that time. |
Session 2 - Hydrology and Hydraulics of the Tittabawassee and Tobacco Rivers
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Paul Drew, P.E., Senior Water Resources Engineer and Project Manager, GEI; Co-written by Ellen Faulkner, Water Resources Engineer, Ayres |
Session 3 - Engineering Design and Construction of the Proposed Repairs and Reconstruction of the Four Lakes Dams
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM | Rick Anderson, P.E., GEI; Bill Walton, P.E., S.E., Senior Vice President, GEI; Phil Martin, P.E., Owner, Integrated Engineering and Construction |
Session 4 - Keynote Address
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM | Liesl Clark, Director, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy |
Session 5 - Path Forward
1:45 PM - 2:15 PM | Dave Kepler, President, Four Lakes Task Force; Maggie Pallone, Vice President, Public Sector Consultants Learn how the Four Lakes communities are moving forward and restoring the dams and lakes. |
Session 6 - An Ecosystems Approach to Lake Restoration
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Maggie Pallone, Vice President, Public Sector Consultants; Dennis McCauley, President, Great Lakes Environmental Center; Jerrod Sanders, Assistant Director, Water Resources Division, State of Michigan; Kelsea Sutton, Project Manager, Spicer Taking an ecosystems approach to restoration involves creating a balanced strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. This session will discuss the ways in which Four Lakes Task Force will utilize the ecosystems approach to determine which man-made interventions will be necessary, and when, to achieve the restoration of the lakes. The session will include commentary from leading scientists, engineers and state regulators on what it will take to restore the lakes. |