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Pratt Lake residents press Gladwin County for multi-agency meeting on low water levels
Summary
Several Pratt Lake property owners urged the Gladwin County Board of Commissioners to address chronically low lake levels, presented a petition with more than 200 signatures, and requested a meeting including the Drain Commissioner, DNR and EGLE to explore remedies and grant funding options.
Several Pratt Lake property owners appealed to the Gladwin County Board of Commissioners on May 27, pressing county leaders to act on persistently low water levels and to reinstate a Lake Level Board to coordinate repairs and management.
During public comment, residents described multiple local proposals and asked the county to convene a meeting with commissioners, the Drain Commissioner, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to identify funding and technical solutions. One resident said a petition supporting action had collected more than 200 signatures.
Jerry, newly elected Pratt Lake Association president, told commissioners he wants the county to “move forward and be proactive” on fixes so residents can use boats and enjoy the lake. Other speakers asked the board to consider relocating a foreign drain and to review how previous Drain Commissioner decisions affected current water levels. Several speakers asked county officials to pursue grant funding to correct problems they attribute to past drain work.
Commissioner Alan Donaldson, who said he will present the county attorney’s legal opinion about a tractor and side-by-side at the Gladwin County Recreation Area to the Parks & Rec Board, acknowledged Pratt Lake concerns and noted the board wants a presentation on recreation-area revenue and expenditures before November. The board did not take formal action on Pratt Lake measures at the meeting; residents requested a follow-up meeting with identified agencies and officials.
The public-comment period also included expressions of support for continued Marine Patrol coverage and plans for pontoon rides to show dam repairs. The board adjourned at 10:29 a.m.; no timetable for the multi-agency meeting was announced.
