top of page
Lake Level Special Assessment District

Restoring the Forest Lake
Legal Lake Level

After flooding and heavy rains in 2020 compromised the Forest Lake Dam Spillway, Arenac County and the Forest Lake Authority Board set to work establishing a lake level special assessment district to pay for repairs and ongoing maintenance of the dam and spillway. In 2025, construction concluded and the lake returned to its normal legal level. 

Forest Lake Dam Spillway Restoration - December 2024
Play Video

History

1967

The legal summer level of Forest Lake is 727 feet and was established in 1967. Forest Lake Dam is regulated by Part 307 and Part 315 of The Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended.

2020

On May 19, 2020, the Forest Lake area received seven inches of rain in just a few hours. The excessive amount of water impacted the Forest Lake Dam by overflowing the downstream spillway chute that directs water into Wells Creek and undermining it, causing significant erosion and collapse of the concrete. This resulted in lowering the level of Forest Lake to its winter level.

2024

Construction started to repair the spillway. Construction is expected to complete in June 2025.

2025

Construction concludes on the Forest Lake spillway and the lake returns to its normal legal levels. 

bottom of page