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army corps of engineers
Why isn’t the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) involved? FLTF is engaged for support for flood studies, planning assistance and future project support. Based on USACE criteria, the four lakes are not eligible for funding. This has been reviewed, researched by FLTF, and discussed with USACE. Out of the more than 90,000 dams in the NID, USACE operates only 700. USACE has “Study Authority and Project Authority to Assist in Construction” and bases its decision on “Benefit for Value.” In other words, the investment in a dam must offset the cost of future property loss. It was determined in consultation and discussion that the study phase to determine if USACE could help with the dams would be a few years, and that funding would be unlikely. Therefore, FLTF pursued funding from the State of Michigan. bottomland vegetation growth
Please read “Vegetation Growth Within the Drained Impoundment Areas (Bottomland) Frequently Asked Questions” provided by EGLE for answers to the below questions. Are the plants growing on the bottomlands invasive species? Can I use herbicides to get rid of the vegetation? Do I need a permit to use herbicides to treat vegetation? Can I cut trees or shrubs beginning to grow? What about burning? If vegetation is allowed to grow will it make it harder for the lakes to be eventually restored erosion
How can I get help managing or stabilizing the erosion on my property? To get help managing erosion on your property you can make improvements on your own or, if you are unsure what to do or how to do it, you can contact FLTF for help by sending an email to [email protected] and describe the erosion concern. Someone from FLTF will contact you and answer questions on the best way to stabilize the land. What should I do if I was denied help from the NRCS? If the NRCS said your property is ineligible for the EWP program you can manage the stabilization of the eroding land yourself. To manage the erosion concerns you have you can make improvements on your own as described above or contact FLTF for help (email: [email protected]). The NRCS provided plans for property owners to perform do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. These projects are designed to...
Finances
Can I see a list of FLTF’s expenses, funding accounts, donors and/or expenditures? Yes, this information is shared with the public at our board meetings and in our annual reports. See all annual reports and tax filings here. Do donations go towards the costs of dealing with lawsuits? No. Private donations are not used to pay legal fees for any class action lawsuit. Do board members get paid? No. Board members do not receive compensation for their service on the board of directors. What are the estimated costs for bringing back the lakes? The total estimated cost is $364 million. Read the full Computation of Costs here. FLOOD control
Please read “Flood Control and the Four Lakes” for answers to the below questions. Were the dams built for flood control? What is a flood control dam? Do the Four Lakes dams help mitigate flooding at all? Why has USACE said three of the four dams are primarily for flood control? Can we do something about flooding? Could the dams be used for flood control? Could USACE still help pay for our dams? Goals
What is the goal of Four Lakes Task Force? The aim of all FLTF activity is to restore the lakes and their ecosystems, ensure the dams are at current best practices, recover property values, revitalize the local economies, assure safety in the lakes and downstream, and bring back the recreational livelihood of the lakes. FLTF has engaged the best experts for every aspect of planning, design, hydrology and hydraulics modeling, dam construction, environmental restoration, safety, and operations. We have advisors who provide input on the best and most appropriate path to recovery and restoration. Public and worker safety are the number one priority. We will not increase the risk to the community or environmental impact for the sake of more quickly restoring water levels. |
hydroelectric power generation
Will the dams have hydropower again? At this time it is economically unfeasible to recover the investments needed to keep hydro and it would slow the time it takes to rebuild the dams. There may still be a future for hydro, potentially beyond the 2030 timeframe after the dams are rebuilt, but not in transition. lake levels & Lake Refill
How long will it take for the lakes to refill? The refill process is dependent on river flows, season and weather conditions and each lake's inflow, storage capacity and minimum permitted flows required to pass through the reservoir while refilling.
When will Secord Lake be brought up? The estimated lake return date for Secord Lake is 2026. When will Smallwood Lake be brought up? The estimated lake return date for Smallwood Lake is 2026. When will Wixom Lake be brought up? The estimated lake return date for Wixom Lake is 2028. When will Sanford Lake be brought up? The estimated lake return date for Sanford Lake is 2026. *Last updated March 28, 2025. Lawsuits
Why did FLTF file motions to get dismissed from the class action lawsuits? FLTF works on behalf of the counties toward a sustainable solution for the community. Our actions have been the opposite of “deliberative indifference,” as some lawsuits stated. For almost two years leading up to the dam failure event FLTF was proactively pursuing a long-term solution for the lakes and dams, and it will continue to do so. Did FLTF get dismissed from any of the class actions? Four Lakes Task Force was dismissed from all three class action lawsuits in which it was named. FLTF is a nonprofit organization and county delegated authority representing the property owners of the four lakes. We act on behalf the communities, Midland and Gladwin counties and the Special Assessment District. Suing FLTF is equivalent to suing those who have suffered losses. We are pleased that the counsel representing the class-plaintiffs saw the wisdom of our position. Will FLTF sue Boyce Hydro? As the delegated authority of the counties and representative of the lake property owners, we do not believe it is in the best interest of the community to allocate efforts and funds to file a lawsuit against Boyce Hydro. The FLTF mission is to bring the lakes back and money directed towards suing Boyce would not contribute to the mission. How can property owners attain a sense of justice? We believe that restoring the dams and bringing back the lakes is the ultimate form of justice in this situation. The communities should expect lakes and it is our right to have them restored. recovery & restoration plan
What is the process for recovery and restoration? See the Restoration Progress Report published in September 2024 which provided updates to the Restoration Plan published in May 2021. What is the goal for dam restoration? Our goal is a dam design that brings back lake levels, at the current industry standards, to ensure reliability and integration so that the dams are built as affordably as possible without sacrificing public safety and restoring the environment. Four Lakes has a sense of urgency to restore the dams as quickly as is safely possible. regulatory
How will the regulatory process impact recovery and restoration?
special assessment district
Please see the Special Assessment District-FAQs for answers to the below questions. What is the role of a special assessment district? Who is in the Four Lakes Special Assessment District? How is the authority to establish the lakes granted? What authority regulates dam safety? How will the assessment be calculated and allocated? Is FLTF still using the same factors (headwater, amount of frontage, adjoining properties, etc.) to determine what each parcel’s assessment will be? What costs are included in assessments? What about 2021 and beyond for the capital improvement component of the assessment? What about weeds? How will property owners’ input be heard? Can we have a public vote on the Four Lakes Special Assessment District? How do I appeal the assessment? What happens to the property assessment if I sell my property? timing
How long will it take to rebuild the dams? This is a massive effort with many moving parts (government, environmental, regulatory, legal, operations, community affairs, finance, engineering). We predict that it’ll be 2027 by the time all four dams are rebuilt. Our goal is a dam design that brings back lake levels, at the current industry standards, to ensure reliability and integration, with dams that are built as affordably as possible without sacrificing public or environmental safety. We will not sacrifice community or environmental safety for the sake of speed or recreation. It takes time to investigate funding sources and address the environment (not just the dams). |
Archive FAQs - section is hidden
Bidding
What does Part 307 specify about the bid package?
According to Part 307, FLTF should award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder. This means the contract should go to the lowest bidder that demonstrates complete competency to perform the project.
Could one construction company be chosen to work on both dams?
The projects are being bid separately but we included on the bid form a place to offer a discount if the company is awarded both projects. If FLTF finds advantages to awarding both projects to the same contractor, and the company is clearly capable of doing both projects at the same time, it is possible for one company to get both contracts.
What is FLTF’s expectation for safety?
Our expectation is zero injuries and zero impact to the community and the environment. This means no personal, community or environmental harm caused by construction. This is the culture we will drive on the work sites.
When did Sanford and Edenville go to bid?
Edenville is schedule to go out for bids by the end of 2023.
FLTF received construction bids for Sanford Dam from two qualified contractors in late April 2023. The bids were higher than expected and both were rejected. As of July 12, 2023, FLTF is working with Spence Brothers and Fisher Contracting on a new bid process.
According to Part 307, FLTF should award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder. This means the contract should go to the lowest bidder that demonstrates complete competency to perform the project.
Could one construction company be chosen to work on both dams?
The projects are being bid separately but we included on the bid form a place to offer a discount if the company is awarded both projects. If FLTF finds advantages to awarding both projects to the same contractor, and the company is clearly capable of doing both projects at the same time, it is possible for one company to get both contracts.
What is FLTF’s expectation for safety?
Our expectation is zero injuries and zero impact to the community and the environment. This means no personal, community or environmental harm caused by construction. This is the culture we will drive on the work sites.
When did Sanford and Edenville go to bid?
Edenville is schedule to go out for bids by the end of 2023.
FLTF received construction bids for Sanford Dam from two qualified contractors in late April 2023. The bids were higher than expected and both were rejected. As of July 12, 2023, FLTF is working with Spence Brothers and Fisher Contracting on a new bid process.
dam acquisition
How much did FLTF spend to acquire the Boyce Hydro properties? FTLF agreed to pay $1,576,000 that was distributed as follows:
How did you determine the purchase price? It wasn’t a purchase price, it was a settlement price, and it was the negotiated price we could pay to proceed as we weighed the cost to get control of the dam properties and be free of Boyce Hydro in time for winter and spring weather. We weighed this against what the bank and others were willing to settle for, given that this would have taken months to get through for all parties.
Did the purchase price fairly reflect the value of the properties? This is not about the value of the property, or fairness, but finding a way for the community to extract itself from the grips of Boyce Hydro so we can move forward.
When will the Task Force take over dam operations? We took control of the properties in December 2020. Engineering and Operations Teams are now in place. Initial site inspections are completed and repair projects underway. The focus is on managing the lakes through the winter and spring systems.
Who owns the properties? The purchase is on behalf of Midland and Gladwin counties and the properties will be deeded to them. FLTF is the agent on their behalf. Boyce still owns property in the counties that are not required for dam and lake operations.
What actual property did the agreement cover? The agreement includes spillways, bottomlands, levies, and all real property including additional Boyce properties.
- $270,000 to Boyce Michigan
- $152,000 to local suppliers that had liens on Boyce properties
- The remaining $1,154,000 will be up to the Bankruptcy Court to sort out between Byline Bank, lawyers, and the bankruptcy trustee
How did you determine the purchase price? It wasn’t a purchase price, it was a settlement price, and it was the negotiated price we could pay to proceed as we weighed the cost to get control of the dam properties and be free of Boyce Hydro in time for winter and spring weather. We weighed this against what the bank and others were willing to settle for, given that this would have taken months to get through for all parties.
Did the purchase price fairly reflect the value of the properties? This is not about the value of the property, or fairness, but finding a way for the community to extract itself from the grips of Boyce Hydro so we can move forward.
When will the Task Force take over dam operations? We took control of the properties in December 2020. Engineering and Operations Teams are now in place. Initial site inspections are completed and repair projects underway. The focus is on managing the lakes through the winter and spring systems.
Who owns the properties? The purchase is on behalf of Midland and Gladwin counties and the properties will be deeded to them. FLTF is the agent on their behalf. Boyce still owns property in the counties that are not required for dam and lake operations.
What actual property did the agreement cover? The agreement includes spillways, bottomlands, levies, and all real property including additional Boyce properties.
FEASIBLITY STUDY/FLOOD STUDY/PRELIMINARY DESIGn
What’s the purpose of the feasibility study?
The feasibility study (including engineering conceptual design and an environmental restoration plan) and flood studies are prerequisites for rebuilding the dams. They are critical for informing dam design and are instrumental in our plans for lake restoration. There is risk that the independent investigation or the findings of these studies will require us to adjust our plans.
How will the study impact downstream flooding?
We can have lakes and improve the management of floods for those downstream and in the Four Lakes basin.
When was the study publicly published?
It was published May 2021. See the study here.
The feasibility study (including engineering conceptual design and an environmental restoration plan) and flood studies are prerequisites for rebuilding the dams. They are critical for informing dam design and are instrumental in our plans for lake restoration. There is risk that the independent investigation or the findings of these studies will require us to adjust our plans.
How will the study impact downstream flooding?
We can have lakes and improve the management of floods for those downstream and in the Four Lakes basin.
When was the study publicly published?
It was published May 2021. See the study here.
secord lake water level
Can the water level of Secord Lake be brought up earlier than the other lakes?
The following four items are critical to the restoration of interim lake levels at Secord Lake.
The following four items are critical to the restoration of interim lake levels at Secord Lake.
- Completion of FERC’s Risk Analysis of restoring the lake to a safe interim level while the permanent repairs are being implemented. FERC staff advised us on January 5, 2020, that the analysis has been completed and a draft report is under review. They provided no indication when the report would be finalized and made available.
- Independent Forensic Team Investigation Findings. FERC staff confirmed the investigation is still in progress. FLTF expects the investigation will be completed in 2021, but neither FERC, the State, nor FLTF have any control over the investigation team. The team is completely independent.
- Spillway Adequacy. Secord is classified a High Hazard dam. The existing “zero freeboard discharge capacity” (i.e., filling the lake to the brim with no room for wave action or wind run-up) is 12,130 cubic feet per second (cfs). According to the latest Ayers analysis, the ½ probable maximum flood (PMF) flow based on EGLE criteria is 18,000 cfs. The full PMF flood (FERC criteria) is 43,000 cfs. These values will likely change based on the probable maximum precipitation (PMP) and updated flood studies. It would be irresponsible to bring Secord Lake back up before the spillway capacity is increased to pass an inflow design flood as determined by the agencies. It is unlikely that regulators would allow the lake to be brought back up until additional spillway capacity is installed.
- Water Retaining Structures. The earthen embankments are of similar design to the Edenville embankment, which failed during the May 2020 flood event. A July 21, 2020 FERC letter identifies concerns with embankment seepage, sloughing and the functionality of the drainage system. Geotechnical investigations and structural analyses are required to address these concerns. Until these issues are addressed, the ability of the embankments to safely withstand another flood event is uncertain – at best.
- Hydropower. Based on Essex’s October 2020 discounted cash flow analysis, Secord would not produce positive cash flows over the 20-year study period. The Net Present Value (NPV) of revenues over the study period is estimated to be over $1 million. Deducting operating and maintenance costs of $830,000 yields a margin of $260,000. Capital expenditures for relicensing, interconnection, and equipment replacements total $920,000, resulting in a negative NPV of $660,000 over 20 years.
