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Pratt Lake residents urge county action as low water levels damage docks and habitat
Summary
Multiple Pratt Lake property owners told the Gladwin County Board of Commissioners on May 13 that falling water levels have damaged boats and docks, expanded cattail coverage and are harming swimming access; residents asked the county to convene state agencies and hold a local meeting to explore remedies.
Pratt Lake property owners pressed the Gladwin County Board of Commissioners on May 13 to take more active steps after reporting severely low water levels, damaged boats and growing cattail coverage that residents say is reducing swimming and public-beach access.
At the county meeting, resident Mike S. said his family has owned property on Pratt Lake for more than 100 years and described worsening conditions: “I put out 80 feet of dock this year and it’s still not deep enough for my boat.” Other residents reported damage to boats and shifting sandbars after winds; one resident said, “The water levels are so low that it’s now going to affect the public beach and the ability of non-residents to be able to swim due to the muck.”
Why it matters: Residents said the conditions could depress property values and reduce tax revenue, and several asked the Board to coordinate with state agencies to identify technical fixes. Commissioners said county authority over lake outlets is limited but pledged to gather information and facilitate next steps.
Commissioner Alan Donaldson offered to set a separate meeting for Pratt Lake stakeholders. Commissioner Mike Visnaw said he inspected the drain and consulted the county Drain Commissioner; Drain Commissioner Walters was reported as “open to ideas” but noted weather and hydrology constrain options. Several commenters requested a meeting that would include the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR); a public meeting on the lake was noted for May 24 at the Sage Township Hall.
What was asked and what the county said: Speakers asked for broader authority or technical study of a “foreign drain” they say cannot currently feed the lake because of a gated structure. Resident Terry said the gate prevents the drain flow from reaching Pratt Lake; Jon Curtis, who questioned who would pay MSU for research, said the AG drain was originally designed to drain farmland, not feed the lake. Commissioners acknowledged those limits and offered to continue collecting information and to schedule stakeholder meetings.
Next steps: Commissioner Donaldson said he is willing to convene a separate meeting with Pratt Lake residents; the Board did not commit county funds for remediation at the meeting. The Board also encouraged continued communication with state agencies and local stakeholders.
Sources and provenance: The account above is drawn from public comments recorded at the May 13 Gladwin County Board of Commissioners meeting (public-comment segments).
