‘Don’t Drain Our Lake’: Michigan Residents Battle State Plan to Remove Trout Lake Dam
Locals rally to save beloved Gladwin County lake, accusing DNR of choosing grant money over community and wildlife preservation.
GLADWIN COUNTY, Mich. — A passionate group of Michigan residents is fighting to save a treasured local lake from being drained by the state.
Trout Lake, a 25-acre lake in Gladwin County, was originally developed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in the 1960s to support a trout fishery. Over time, it became a popular rustic camping destination, complete with hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and lakefront campsites.
But now, the DNR plans to remove the dam that maintains the lake, citing ecological and safety concerns. The lake would revert to a small stream and kettle pond if removed.
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The lake would revert to a small stream and kettle pond if removed.
Linda Jackson Kutch, who has visited Trout Lake since childhood and now takes her grandchildren there, believes the plan is misguided. “This place was built by the state for the fishery. Now that it’s not modern enough, they want to walk away from it,” she said.
Click here to read the statement from the DNR saying why the DAM needs to be removed.
Kutch says fixing the issue is simple and affordable—just $1,000 worth of replacement boards for the dam. But she believes the DNR prefers to remove the dam because grant money is available for removal, not repairs. “They’re choosing funding over community,” she said.
Click here to sign the petition to save the lake.
The lake is also home to protected species like loons and swans. Carlson and others worry about the environmental damage if the area is drained. “They keep dismissing the impact on wildlife,” she said.
Locals have started petitions and reached out to lawmakers, including Rep. Mike Hoadley and Sen. Roger Hauck. Some residents are even camping nearby to monitor the dam.
“This lake is clean, peaceful, and important to so many families,” Kutch said. “We’re willing to raise money ourselves. But we need people to speak up now—before it’s too late.”
On April 10, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources began an emergency reduction of water levels at Trout Lake Dam in Gladwin County to reduce the risk of structural failure and an uncontrolled release of water from the impoundment. The drawdown will occur gradually, lowering water levels by no more than 12 inches per week, with fisheries staff addressing impacts to aquatic life. Elevated flows through the outlet pipe during this time are expected and unavoidable. Until all alternatives have been identified and evaluated following inspection, a firm timeline cannot be established for the fate of the structure and the impoundment.
Click here to learn more from the DNR.
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Another misguided move by the DNR, there are other ways to help CONSERVATION yet all we seem to see are mismanagement of our eager ways, desecration of our forests and water ways, gassing of geese and harassment of rehab facilities for wildlife. Why is this such a corrupt entity when it is solely funded by taxpayers?
If they aren't hassling private owners from building a wetlands habitat, they are going after one they don't want to maintain. Government in Michigan is about how to waste tax dollars and make a bundle for themselves. This is the problem with today's mindset in government. It was never ever intended to be someone's career. They were to serve their two terms and go back home and work in whatever business they owned. Some one needs a big two by four to smack them all upside their collective heads to get their attention and tell them two terms and out.