Tank Creek Dam Removal
A small dam on Tank Creek, a feeder stream to the Pere Marquette River in western Lake County breached twice in 2008. After heavy rain events water flow caused a deep gully to be cut across the dam in two places. The entire flow of the creek was moving through the dam body itself, rather that the overflow pipe designed to perform that function. Sediment was washing into the outflow stream at an alarming rate. Dam failure appeared to be imminent. Downstream of the dam the stream flowed under a county road as well as a railroad crossing – both of which were vulnerable if the dam broke.
PMWC, with the assistance of Kim Balke of Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) approached the landowner. He expressed interest in removing the dam to resolve the environmental concerns at hand. Ms. Balke requested proposals from engineers and contractors and then sought grants from various sources to assist in the project. The project was budgeted at $30,000. $20,000 of the project was funded from the United States Forest Service (USFS) ARRA (aka “stimulus”) funds, with the remaining amount split equally between PMWC and the landowner.
With this support, the leaking and failing earthen dam was removed and the natural stream bed was re-established. This two-phased project took place in 2009 and 2010. The impoundment was drained, dam removed and Tank Creek returned to its natural state as part of Phase I of the project. Phase II of the project entailed the Lake County Road Commission’s (LCRC) rebuilding of the road/stream crossing. Again ARRA monies were utilized. The lowering and replacement of a culvert to allow for the migration of trout and salmon was key. Combined with the dam’s removal, the natural and original spawning beds are now accessible, restoring one small portion of one small tributary on one magnificent river.