MIDLAND — With summer construction in full swing, the Four Lakes Task Force announced it has completed its first round of bond financing and continues to move forward on dam restoration projects across the region.
In an Aug. 4 update, task force President and Chair Dave Kepler said project costs remain below the not-to-exceed estimate, and more detailed updates on construction progress and cost forecasts will be shared during an October community webinar.
“We truly appreciate the work of all involved in restoration, as well as those in the community engaged in preparing for restoration of the lake levels,” Kepler said in the update.
Estimated substantial completion dates for each dam are included in the project’s construction plans. Specific dates were not listed in the update, but the task force said they are subject to change based on weather and construction progress. The September construction newsletter will include a status report on each project’s timeline.
Once dam construction is substantially complete, lake refill will be allowed between April 15 and Oct. 1. The refill period for each lake will vary depending on factors such as lake size, rainfall, river flow and evaporation rates.
“If the dam isn’t complete by the fall, lakes will have to wait until spring to fill,” the task force noted.
Letters will be sent to property owners in the coming weeks outlining what special assessments to expect on their winter 2025 tax bills. Monthly construction newsletters will also resume in September.
The task force is also encouraging property owners around Secord, Smallwood and Sanford lakes to begin preparing bottomlands for eventual refill by clearing vegetation and debris by the end of fall 2025. While special assessment funds cannot be used for this work, the task force is coordinating community efforts to support cleanup.
Property owners are asked to mow the first 40 feet of bottomlands, remove loose debris and help neighbors who may need assistance. The removal of invasive species like purple loosestrife and phragmites is recommended during the fall when the plants are dormant.
The Four Lakes Task Force, a nonprofit organization, oversees restoration efforts following the failure of the Edenville and Sanford dams in 2020.