New Baltimore redesigns marina plan after discovery of shallow water intake line

Parks & Recreation Director Adam Abraham told the New Baltimore Parks & Recreation Commission on Feb. 5 that engineering for the Walter & Mary Burke Park marina has advanced from about 60% toward 90%, but a shallow treated‑water intake line discovered near the planned work zone has required a significant redesign.

The change means the proposed pier will be shifted to straddle the intake line so dredging can be conducted in other areas if needed, Abraham said. The updated concept also reduces the length of engineered break walls from roughly 850 feet to about 550 feet and adds approximately 30 additional wells within a similar footprint, which the director said should yield cost savings.

"As they worked through more detailed modeling, we discovered a shallow water intake line from the water plant that is only about three feet below the lake bottom in that area," Abraham said. "Because of that, the layout had to be adjusted." Commissioner Dawn Wolschleger pressed staff about wave attenuation and ongoing beach sand loss; Abraham said the pending wave and hydrodynamic reports show most wave action originates from the south and southeast rather than directly from the shoreline.

City staff said they are awaiting the final wave and hydrodynamic reports; once design reaches the approximately 90% milestone the city will begin the joint permit process with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and EGLE (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy). No formal vote or commitment of construction funds was taken at the Feb. 5 meeting.

Next steps include completing the hydrodynamic modeling, reviewing permit requirements with state and federal agencies, and returning to the commission with final recommendations and cost estimates. The commission did not set a construction schedule at the meeting.