On May 19, 2020, the Edenville and Sanford dams located in Gladwin and Midland counties failed after a catastrophic rain event leading to the evacuation of 11,000 people. 

After floodwaters subsided, Secord and Smallwood lakes were lowered and Sanford and Wixom lakes no longer exist.

Our beautiful freshwater system and the 6,000 property owners on the four lakes are in need of help.

Based on Michigan laws, the ultimate financing for operations and recovery come from the the Four Lakes Special Assessment District which receives revenue from property owners that have access to the lakes. While the community has received funds from the state and federal government, there is significant work still to be done to recover the lakes and create a financial structure to sustain them.

It is up to the communities to bring the lakes back.

We need the people of Midland and Gladwin counties to come together to rebuild these communities to be thriving places of business, education, recreation and tourism so we can continue to raise our families here and improve the quality of life in the region.

Restore the Regional Economy

• The economic impact of the lakes reaches far beyond the shorelines to impact greater Midland and Gladwin counties, Saginaw County and further downstream in the Saginaw Bay watershed

• The Gladwin County population increased by nearly 40,000 people during the summer months making these lakes a large economic driver
• Local restaurants, marinas, hotels, shopping centers and other businesses depend on the strong economy that has existed in this region for decades because of the thriving lakes
• These lakes bring thousands of people to their waters every year for recreation and are some of the best fisheries in the state

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Protect the Communities

• Safeguard our school system by maintaining economic prosperity
• Safely build dams to last 75+ years
• Demonstrate community support to get funding from federal sources
• Lower the burden on those that have lived here for many generations and are facing an economic challenge to stay in their home

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With your support, we're investing in the safety of the community.
Donations go towards immediate needs such as:

• Acquiring the properties
• Conducting a study that will explore intended future uses, regulatory framework and design standards, design concept screening, financing and affordability, and an implementation schedule to begin the repair and rebuilding project in 2021
• Stabilizing 380+ properties with significant erosion
• Removing debris from Sanford Dam, bottomlands and the surrounding areas
• Communicating with property owners

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Working with experts, our plan is to rebuild the dams so people can enjoy the lakes for decades to come.

• Secord Lake
• Smallwood Lake
• Wixom Lake
• Sanford Lake

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$25 million	2,015	2022-2024
Cost to Repair	Waterfront Properties	Estimated Lake Return Date

Secord Dam will require significant repairs and upgrades to meet the ½ PMF (probable maximum flood) standards. To get the dam up to these standards we will decommission the powerhouse, construct a new auxiliary spillway, install new crest gates and repair the reinforcement embankment.

$18 million	721	2022-2024
Cost to Repair	Waterfront Properties	Estimated Lake Return Date

Smallwood Dam will require significant repairs and upgrades to meet the ½ PMF (probable maximum flood) standards, and to avoid the flooding that occurred around the dam in the May 19 flood. To get the dam up to these standards we will construct a new passive auxiliary spillway and install new crest gates and shoreline armor protection for high exit velocities. 

$121 million	2,875	2025-2026
Cost to Repair	Waterfront Properties	Estimated Lake Return Date

Edenville Dam will require demolition of damaged structures - the spillway and powerhouse - and construction of new primary and auxiliary spillways.

$51 million	944	Mid-2025
Cost to Repair	Waterfront Properties	Estimated Lake Return Date

Sanford Dam will require demolition of the existing gated spillways and powerhouse and construction of new primary and auxiliary spillways. 

If we don't get involved, nobody else is going to bring these lakes back. It requires our lake community to step up first and help everybody else understand the need so they can support our efforts. 
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- DAVE KEPLER, PRESIDENT AND CHAIR, FOUR LAKES TASK FORCE

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Current and Possible Funding sources

• Government grants
• Donations from foundations, corporations and private individuals and families
• ​Other revenue sources such as hydropower or usage fees

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I donate to a specific lake fund?  
No. The lakes are a system of waterways along the Tittabawassee River and are being operated as a holistic unit. Funding raised through the Task Force will enable us to pay for critical activities that must be addressed in the next 1-3 years. These activities span all of the lake communities rather than individual lakes. Money donated to Lake Associations will go towards their operations and investments to their respective lakes.

2. Are donations put towards reimbursing board members or legal expenses? 
No. Board members serve on a volunteer basis and do not get compensated. No private individual donations go towards legal expenses related to the class action lawsuits. 

3. Why is FLTF asking for donations when there will be an assessment? 
The special assessment is expected to be levied in early 2022 but we have immediate funding needs now. The funds we raise will enable us to do important work like stabilize the dams, remove debris, control erosion, conduct studies and begin design work. To get an assessment in place to cover construction costs we need to complete the studies and engineering work first.

4. Are you pursuing other sources of funds? 
Yes. We applied for and are receiving grants from local foundations and corporations, the state of Michigan and the federal government. 

5. Have any local foundations or business contributed? 
Yes. We are grateful for the support of the many local foundations. See our donors here.

6. Are Dow or Consumers Energy planning to buy the dams? 
​No. Dow and Consumers Energy have no intention of buying the dams. Dow is supportive of our effort to bring back the lakes and the Dow Foundation has donated to our efforts.