Michigan Town Residents Clash with State Over Emergency Mill Pond Drawdown

Village of Holly leaders say the state acted without cause, draining a 150-year-old pond and leaving homeowners with mud, lost property value, and an uncertain future.

HOLLY, Mich. — A fight over the future of the Holly Mill Pond is pitting local officials and residents against the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), which recently ordered an emergency drawdown of the waterway despite village leaders’ objections.

The state agency lowered the water level by nearly four feet, exposing large swaths of sediment and altering the landscape that has defined the community for more than 150 years. EGLE said the action was necessary due to the dam’s “poor” safety rating, but village officials argue the structure was not in imminent danger of failure.

“This pond is part of Holly’s history,” said April Brandon, village president. “We were already working on solutions. We had engineers, legal experts, and community leaders at the table. The state took it out of our hands.”

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The drawdown has left about 70 properties without waterfront access, prompting concerns over declining property values, wildlife disruption, and the potential loss of the mill pond altogether. If the exposed area becomes classified as a wetland after two years, state law could prevent refilling the pond.

EGLE maintains authority over all dams in Michigan, public or private, and can act in the name of public safety. Officials have said the berm needs repairs, citing a possible leak, though residents contend the wet area in question has existed for decades.

A Pattern of Disputes Across Michigan

The Holly dispute is the latest in a string of high-profile clashes between EGLE and local communities over dams.

• White, Michigan: Residents have been in ongoing litigation with EGLE over a dam drawdown, arguing the state moved too quickly without fully considering local restoration plans.

• Davison Township: A similar state-ordered water level reduction sparked community pushback over property values and environmental impacts.

• Davisburg: Residents say rapid drawdowns led to odor, unsightly sediment, and years of unresolved damage to recreation areas.

Some local leaders allege EGLE offers more grant money for dam removals than for repairs, creating a financial incentive for communities to accept demolition over restoration. EGLE officials have said the policy aligns with long-term goals of returning waterways to their natural state.

Brandon and others fear that approach disregards decades-old ecosystems and community heritage. “We’re talking about 185 years of history,” she said. “Wildlife, recreation, and the identity of our town are tied to this water.”

Legal Fight Continues

An Oakland County judge recently denied Holly’s request for an injunction to halt the drawdown. The village has an administrative hearing scheduled with EGLE next week and is seeking to establish a “legal lake level” under Michigan’s Part 307 law. That move could pave the way for a special assessment district, with repair costs shared by affected property owners rather than all taxpayers.

For now, the gates remain locked. Without state approval, Holly cannot restore the water level, leaving residents to navigate an uncertain future.

“We’re not giving up,” said Brandon. “This community deserves a say in what happens to our pond.”