The four lake communities have a choice when it comes to recovery and restoration efforts. Removing the dams would require a decades-long program to manage public safety while removing the dams, with all necessary permits, and an environmental restoration plan. Our preliminary engineering estimates predict that this effort would cost $125 million. This path forward has no funding source and no one is championing this effort. 

GLADWIN AND MIDLAND COUNTIES AND FLTF ASSUME NO LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES, INJURIES OR DEATH RESULTING FROM ACCESS TO, OR ACTIVITIES UPON THE BOTTOMLANDS. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.

FLTF, as the Delegated Authority for both Gladwin and Midland Counties under State of Michigan Part 307 regulations, has acquired the properties formerly owned by Boyce Hydro and will be managing these properties associated with the Secord, Smallwood, Wixom, and Sanford Lakes (Four Lakes), including shoreline and lake bottomland (defined as the shoreline area between the previous water’s edge and the current water’s edge) areas. FLTF is also managing the restoration of water levels for the Four Lakes; an effort that includes the redesign and reconstruction of dam and spillway-related structures, as appropriate. 

​Four Lakes Communities –
Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF) will fulfill a commitment that was made in September 2020 to provide a feasible plan to restore the lakes. This plan, following this comprehensive study, will be shared with the community on May 13th, 2021 and will be subsequently published online before the joint county board meeting on May 25th. This is a large and complex project, with many variables, and there are several webinars and community engagement activities planned. Most of the work for the study is completed and we will be sharing information that will be part of the study over the next month. The remaining areas of work are in the areas of environmental planning, affordability analysis and the Public Sector Consultants survey report.