Lake levels debated in Alger
Lake levels debated in Alger
By JOHN PEPIN, Journal Munising Bureau
MUNISING — Some lakefront property owners in Alger County may seek a permit from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to regulate water levels of an inland lake via a historic dam and culvert system.
Several riparian property owners from the Lake Tahoe Woodland Estates met with the Alger County Board Monday, hoping to have the county set a water level for Cole Pond, located near Powell Lake.
“The lake level has remained consistent until approximately 2000 when an effort to remove the dam and significantly lower the water levels was undertaken,” said property owner Audrey DesArmo in a letter to the county board.
The pond is now called Lake Tahoe by local residents and disagreements have emerged over a culvert that some say has been intentionally blocked to keep water levels in the upper of two ponds high. Historically, there have been two dams at the site, one of which has been removed.
Some residents want higher lake levels to maintain property values in the area, while other people want the flowage between the Tahoe ponds and wetlands to remain open, saying the water levels will fluctuate naturally over time, and keeping the waterway open will protect places for coldwater fish species, primarily brook trout.
“We’re concerned about the upper dam that is still in place and has been since the 1930s,” DesArmo said Monday. “That’s what we’re asking is that dam be maintained.”
Some residents reported past occurrences of problems with wells and vegetation and fish die-off by levels of the ponds being raised or lowered.
Joe Lindquist, whose mother owns property in the area, said the DEQ “mandated” him to remove sandbags, stones and other items that were blocking the flow of a culvert in the dam.
He said signs were posted stating the debris removal was a DEQ-sanctioned project and a Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer was helping keep people from intentionally blocking the culvert.
Property owner Howard Karr said officials have been concerned about modifying the pond levels because of the water body’s association with Powell Lake.
“If you raise all the water around there, Powell Lake won’t be able to refresh itself by percolation,” Karr said.
Karr said that could lead to sewage backups for resident homes on Powell Lake, perhaps creating serious contamination problems.
“If we leave it alone, it will remain the same,” Karr said. “Leave the culvert there and let it flow.”
Alger County Prosecutor Karen Bahrman said a court determination of the normal lake level would result in the county becoming obligated to maintain that level.
To do so, special assessments would likely be necessary to fund upgrades, repairs and maintenance of the dam.
Alger County Board Chairwoman Catherine Pullen said the county doesn’t want to impose those charges.
“If we set a lake level, if we establish a dam, we’re going to have to look at special assessments which are not going to be cheap and you all are going to pay for your waterfront property twice,” Pullen said. “I don’t think the solution lies with the county board. We don’t have the information. We don’t have the expertise.”
Bahrman said she discussed the issue with representatives from the DEQ Monday and suggested the property owners work together and apply for a permit to provide DEQ-approved work at the site.
“I feel it would be worth their while to apply for a permit to construct a dam, which at least triggers ecological and engineering studies at no cost beyond the application fee and may actually lead to approval of such construction,” Bahrman said.
At the meeting, the property owners seemed to better understand the issues involved after airing their differences. They left saying they intended to work together to try to mediate issues and resolve the problem.
“We’ve all got to be neighbors out there and we all want to get along,” Karr said.
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