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Showcasing the DNR: It's a gold rush for fish
Fish populations are rebounding in the Tittabawassee Impoundments' Four Lakes By APRIL MOREY, Fish Management Biologist Southern Lake Huron Management Unit Michigan Department of Natural Resources Many folks in Michigan remember the dreadful day of May 19, 2020. Severe weather pushed the Edenville and Sanford dams in Midland and Gladwin counties past their limits, resulting in catastrophic flooding in the area. These dams, along with Secord and Smallwood dams, on the Tittabawassee and Tobacco rivers create the Tittabawassee River Impoundments, also known as the Four Lakes: Secord, Smallwood, Sanford and Wixom. The flooding likely displaced many fish downstream into the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay while also limiting access for anglers throughout the Four Lakes system — an important aspect of the local economy. Present day Sanford Lake is currently undergoing a significant ecological transition following its refill. The reservoir had approximately six years of exposed bottomlands that were recently inundated. During that period, vegetation, debris and other organic materials accumulated on the exposed lakebed. As those materials became submerged following the refill, their decomposition released nutrients into the water. In addition, the summer 2026 season has been abnormally warm and dry. Different plant life existed in the bottomlands before the fill and a population of fish have migrated into the river system that are not well adapted for a lake with these conditions. This has led to increased algae, lower oxygen levels, and higher temperatures that led to an abnormal amount of fish kills.
It is important to recognize that Sanford Lake is re-establishing itself as an aquatic ecosystem. As that process unfolds, the development of aquatic vegetation and filamentous algae will be an important part of the lake's ecological recovery. A healthy and established aquatic plant community will help retain nutrients within the system, and provide habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms. Regarding Algae: Unfortunately, some algae are toxic, and no single treatment or "silver bullet" will immediately eliminate a harmful algal bloom once it has developed. Depending on the species involved and prevailing environmental conditions, blooms may dissipate relatively quickly or may persist for several weeks. Guidance from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources states that the most appropriate approach is to allow the bloom to run its course while continuing to monitor conditions. If you'd like to learn more about identifying harmful algal blooms, watch this video by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. On July 21, representatives from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy inspected Smallwood Dam and approved the dam for lake refill pending completion of a few activities. These activities are planned to be completed over the next two weeks and lake refill will begin the first week of August.
Last updated July 22, 2026 For the health and safety of all crew members on site at the dams, work slowed last week due to severe heat and air quality issues. Because of this, the Smallwood Dam substantial completion date has moved from the end of July to the first week of August. The delay does not affect the dam inspection being performed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy today (July 21).
We will continue to provide updates as Smallwood Dam completion progresses and lake refill begins.
Four Lakes Task Force recently demobilized all debris-removal equipment from the Sanford Dam. Moving forward, if debris collects in front of your shoreline, it is the responsibility of the property owner to take care of it; however, if there is substantial debris by your property that cannot be removed easily, email your address, photos of the water and shoreline, and your concerns and we will review the area and evaluate if FLTF can help address the issue.
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©2026 | Four Lakes Task Force is a US 501 (c)(3) public charity, EIN 27-4698447. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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