Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Lake St Helen topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Roscommon County rescinds Lake St. Helen fixed-crest weir resolution, directs new dam design
Summary
After reports the fixed-crest weir approach ‘will not work as hoped,’ the board rescinded Resolution #2026-01-02 and instructed engineers to design an alternative dam structure; an advisory committee will be formed in the coming month.
The Roscommon County Board voted Feb. 25 to rescind Resolution #2026-01-02, originally adopted Jan. 14, 2026, that had supported a fixed‑crest weir for Lake St. Helen. Lake Manager Chase Schepke and Commissioner Rex Wolfsen reported that the fixed‑crest weir appears unsuitable, public comment favored a different structure, and site conditions (including at least one stuck board and cracking in a far bay) supported redesign. The motion to rescind was made by Wolfsen, seconded by Marc J. Milburn, and carried on a unanimous roll‑call vote among members present.
Wolfsen reported he had visited a resident who experiences spring flooding and spoke with other residents, and he said the advisory committee that will guide the redesign will be determined within the next month. Lake Manager Schepke recommended notifying Luke and Fahey Schultz (as named in the meeting record) as part of the next steps. The board’s action directs the engineer to proceed with designing a new dam rather than moving forward with removing the winter level under the previously adopted approach.
Public commenters at the meeting reiterated concerns about lake operations and the need for local input; the board did not specify a timeline for the engineering work or future public hearings on the design alternatives.
