clarification on rising water alarm at smallwood dam

On March 31st 2025, the Gladwin County Emergency Manager sent an alert to residents. The alert stated: 

"GLADWIN COUNTY: Four Lakes Task Force reports alarm condition at Smallwood Dam for continuous rising water. Radov and downstream to monitor."

Secord and Smallwood dams remain structurally sound and are passing upstream flows. FLTF notified Gladwin County Emergency Management, according to protocol outlined in the Emergency Action Plan, when the flows exceeded the notification threshold. This threshold was set to indicate that potential flooding may occur at Radov Drive, downstream of Smallwood Dam, should waters continue to rise. Radov Drive is a low-lying area that historically floods during large storm events.

All four dams, Secord, Smallwood, Edenville and Sanford, are below normal (legal) lake levels and continue to pass upstream flows. There is no anticipated risk to the structure of the dams. Conditions at the Four Lakes dams are measured and observed via instruments, cameras and site visits, which are communicated to county emergency management. 

FTLF encourages property owners to use the counties’ emergency management services to receive information related to storms:
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• GLAWIN COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: https://gladwincounty-mi.gov/departments/emergency-management/
• MIDLAND COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: https://midlandcountymi.gov/alerts-information

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Dams and flood control

The dams, in their past, current and future states are not flood control dams. For those interested in learning more, please read Chapter 4: Flood Management in the Restoration Plan Progress Report.