winter construction at edenville dam and public safety

​During the winter of 2020-2021, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will install a temporary bridge over Wixom Lake and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) will modify the Tobacco River side of the Edenville Dam to make it safer.  

Both projects are expected to begin in December 2020 and be substantially complete in February 2021.  These are both significant construction projects.  The reason for the MDOT project is obvious.  The reason for the EGLE project is agency concerns about public safety after damage to the Tobacco River Dam due to the May 19, 2020 flood.  The greatest danger would be an uncontrolled release of water from the damaged dam, leading to more property damage and threats to human lives downstream of the dam.

These two construction projects make the Tobacco River arm of Wixom Lake unusually dangerous this winter.  The public is advised to avoid the following areas:

• Near the MDOT and EGLE projects
  • Avoid driving those parts of M-30 south of Strykers Marina or north of Edenville unless you live in or have work in the area.  These areas will have construction traffic for both projects and the workers do not need interference from sightseers.
  • Stay away from the lake and river shore areas near both projects, whether in a snowmobile, boat or any other vehicle or on foot.  That means no sightseeing, no fishing, no hunting.  Stay away for your safety and the safety of the workers.
  • Stay off the embankments of the dam and the lake bottom land within 500 feet of the construction work.
• The rest of the Tobacco River arm of Wixom Lake
  • During the construction projects, we advise people to stay off the water now and to stay off the ice after freeze-up.That means no boating, no snowmobiling, no fishing and no ice shanties.
  • EGLE will partially demolish the 95-year-old concrete spillway structure, in order to perform a controlled release of water and lower the water level on the Tobacco arm of Wixom Lake by 10’-15’ (ten to fifteen feet).  Due to the current water levels and the planned lowering, there is increased risk of falling through the ice or getting stranded on drifting ice.  EGLE and FLTF expect the work will be designed and performed with an emphasis on safety and the water will be released in a safe, controlled manner. However, during demolition, a large flood event or an unexpected failure of the 95-year-old dam structure could result in an uncontrolled release of water from the river. If such an uncontrolled release should occur, it could be a fatal mistake to be on the water or ice when that release happens.
  • Construction project updates will be published.