The four dams and four lakes were constructed in 1924 to generate hydro-electric power. Through the years, lake levels and dams have been operated by several private owners, for the purpose of power generation. On December 7, 2020, Four Lakes Task Force was granted a motion to acquire the dams through condemnation, also known as eminent domain. The dams are regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
The Four Lakes and their dams are operated as a system, with the FLTF Operations Team responsible for their operations and maintenance in compliance in Part 315, Dam Safety of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, since the County acquired the properties in December 2021. Read about EGLE's dam safety and operations requirements.
As a system, the best management practice of the dams is to operate them with oversight by one organization as has been historically done. This allows coordinating and optimizing the operation of the gates and the timing of water flow through the system. It also makes administration, operation, maintenance, emergency response and repairs more efficient.
The Four Lakes and their dams are operated as a system, with the FLTF Operations Team responsible for their operations and maintenance in compliance in Part 315, Dam Safety of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, since the County acquired the properties in December 2021. Read about EGLE's dam safety and operations requirements.
As a system, the best management practice of the dams is to operate them with oversight by one organization as has been historically done. This allows coordinating and optimizing the operation of the gates and the timing of water flow through the system. It also makes administration, operation, maintenance, emergency response and repairs more efficient.
Dam Operations Team
The centralized operations team carries out the responsibilities of each of the four individual lakes and facilities. A single management team can operate efficiently, creating cost savings by avoiding the duplication of efforts that would occur if there were four independent lakes with their own management structures and resources. The aggregation of management responsibilities better assures consistent and thorough policies, procedures, and performance across the four lakes system. Specifically, operations staff can assist one another to complete work issues and betterment projects without having to rely on outside contractors for frequent assistance. Also, having one management team allows for a broader watershed perspective of situations, opportunities, and abilities to address them more optimally.
Dam Operations Team
Brad Fedorchak, Operations Manager and Restoration Program Director
Bob Gates, Dam Operations Consultant
Greg Uhl, Head Operations
Brandon Heath, Operator
Joe Rybkowski, Operator
Ted Warren, Secord and Smallwood Project Manager
Scott Dahl, Edenville and Sanford Project Manager
Dam Operations Team
Brad Fedorchak, Operations Manager and Restoration Program Director
Bob Gates, Dam Operations Consultant
Greg Uhl, Head Operations
Brandon Heath, Operator
Joe Rybkowski, Operator
Ted Warren, Secord and Smallwood Project Manager
Scott Dahl, Edenville and Sanford Project Manager
Operations Activities
Dam operations and maintenance generally fall into two categories:
General Operations and Maintenance
These activities ensure the dam structures are in safe and operational condition to the extent that their current compromised conditions allow. Operations activities monitor the facilities and take action to correct potential or active issues. Activities in this category include mowing, snow plowing, inspection and repair, and property maintenance.
Dam Safety and Security
These activities ensure the dams remain structurally sound and continually operate as designed while meeting regulatory requirements. Activities in this category include monitoring security systems, performing inspections, complying with requirements and adhering to environmental health and safety policies.
General Operations and Maintenance
These activities ensure the dam structures are in safe and operational condition to the extent that their current compromised conditions allow. Operations activities monitor the facilities and take action to correct potential or active issues. Activities in this category include mowing, snow plowing, inspection and repair, and property maintenance.
Dam Safety and Security
These activities ensure the dams remain structurally sound and continually operate as designed while meeting regulatory requirements. Activities in this category include monitoring security systems, performing inspections, complying with requirements and adhering to environmental health and safety policies.
