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Residents accuse county of 'banking' water; board outlines land-swap and design updates
Summary
Public commenters urged adherence to court-ordered Houghton Lake elevation datums and alleged data-site changes and 'banking' of water. Staff reported schematic and structural designs are underway and a Denton Township land-swap requires updated deeds and surveys before recording.
Residents raised strong objections to the county’s handling of Houghton Lake levels at public comment, alleging altered datums and improper "banking" of water that have worsened flooding along some shorelines.
"This is a court order," said Craig Carter during public comment, arguing the operations manual prescribes an elevation range the county must follow and asserting that benchmark datums had been altered so "you could bank more water." He said manual gauge readings and USGS control structures showed differences and called for transparency and compliance.
On unfinished business, staff reported the Houghton Lake outlet schematic design is complete and the engineering team is working on structural and hydraulic drawings. Officials said a Denton Township land swap approved more than a year ago remains incomplete because new deeds and survey filings are required before the township will record the transfer; staff have been in touch with the county equalization office to finalize filings.
The board noted that all gates on Houghton Lake remain open; Higgins Lake gates remain closed and Lake Saint Helen's winter level is under review with advisory-committee correspondence planned. No new construction decisions were made; staff said additional documentation and survey filings are needed to finalize the land-swap.
