Late May 18, 2020 the flooding began and the following days saw dams give way leading to an unprecedented level leading to the 2020 Mid Michigan Flood. The monetary damage is not yet known. What is known is that people in the area desperately need your help.
Dam Failure
In what has been an on-going saga for the residents in the Wixom Lake area, it has also hit home for those in Sanford and others in the wake of failing dams. This has been an ongoing issue that appears to have stemmed from issues related to the owner of the dam(s), Boyce Hydro. Boyce Hydro owns the Edenville, Sanford, Secord, and Smallwood dams. This had also led to the creation and future ownership of the dam(s) by the Four Lakes Task Force who would take over responsibility (receive the title for the dams) in 2022.
Quick Backdating
The dam soon was the responsibility of the state when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission revoked Boyce’s hydroelectric power generating license at the Edenville Dam (the dam of Wixom Lake) in September 2018, due to present and long standing issues that remained unresolved. These issues were also noted as the dam not being capable to handle a major event such as a flood.
This led to lake levels being raised in 2019, but reduced back down by Boyce Hydro by 8 feet. The residents of the lack began protesting this, and the water levels were once again raised.
There are more details regarding the back and forth dispute over water levels in the Detroit News article found here: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/05/20/dangers-edenville-dam-failure-evaded-state-scrutiny/5228559002/
2020 Flood
The dam eventually gave way on May 19, 2020 causing the flooding, sending trillions of gallons of water to several communities that also saw massive flooding and devastation. This flooding led to over 10,000 people being evacuated from their homes (in what appears to be a safe extraction, as no casualties had been reported).
The dam of Secord and Sanford eventually breached and could not withstand the amount of water causing flooding in Gladwin and Sanford. This then led to more flooding in the Freeland, Saginaw, and Bay City areas.
A state of emergency has been declared for several communities.
There has also been massive flooding in Arenac county that is unrelated to the failing of several dams in the mid-Michigan area. There is an in-depth article from MLive found here for how that flood has effected the communities and their residents: https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2020/05/theres-just-no-words-for-it-say-residents-near-flooded-rifle-river-in-arenac-county.html
Help is needed in many of these areas, but proceed with caution. Many have tried to view the area causing traffic congestion. Please be respectful of those effected and allow them the fastest means for repairs.
