Michigan’s Cornwall Flooding drawn down to meet safety standards

Gaylord, Mich. — The Cornwall Creek Flooding, located within the Pigeon River Country State Forest, is a popular northern Michigan location for fishing, paddling and other recreation.

Over the past couple of months, the water level of the 161-acre lake was lowered by several feet to address safety concerns with the Cornwall Dam, which creates the impoundment, and to prepare for the planned renovation of the dam.

A series of safety inspections by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) – the state agency that regulates dams – determined that Cornwall Creek Dam and its water control infrastructure were in poor condition. A partial drawdown of the water level in the Cornwall Flooding impoundment was necessary to reduce the risks of dam failure, until problems with the dam are resolved.

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The drawdown occurred over the course of several weeks in August and September in a controlled, incremental process, resulting in the new stable water elevation approximately 6.5 feet below the typical level of the flooding. For safety reasons, the dam levee was closed and the shore-to-shore equestrian trail rerouted during construction.

The partial dewatering phase has now concluded, and the shore-to-shore trail reopened for public use. Visitors to the Cornwall Creek Flooding should continue to use caution, as the lower water levels have exposed bottomlands that are soft or muddy. The Michigan DNR Fisheries Division, which owns the dam, is working with Huron Pines, Wade Trim, and EGLE on the next phase of the project – securing an amended permit for the proposed renovation of the dam and returning to previous water levels. The project team aims to complete this work in summer 2025.

Moving forward with renovation work will require the approval of requested EGLE permit revisions and depends on sufficient funding to cover project costs. The project team anticipates a permit decision by EGLE will be made later in 2024 and that contractor bids will be solicited soon after.

For more information, view the initial announcement of the Cornwall Creek Flooding drawdown or visit huronpines.org/savecornwall.