Lake manager reports elevated lake levels; board considers professional study for control structures

Lake Manager Chase Schepke updated the Roscommon County Board March 25 on control structures for Lake St. Helen, Higgins Lake and Houghton Lake and urged coordination with state agencies.

Schepke reported Lake St. Helen is "2 inches over summer level," that the bridge is restricting flow and that "everything is open" at the lake. Regarding Higgins Lake, Schepke said EGLE advised that any structural changes would require a professional study; Higgins Lake was reported at 0.5 inches over summer level and the advisory committee prefers a new structure though options include a restrictor plate or taking no action. On Houghton Lake, Schepke said he submitted a FOIA request to the DNR about Reedsburg Dam operations and noted the dam and the lake are 5.5 inches above their intended summer levels; he also described a flats project planned for this summer to redo the control structure and pumps and recommended meeting with EGLE to discuss concerns.

Chair Darlene Sensor said she would like to move forward with a Professional Service Agreement with engineering firm Prein & Newhof at hourly rates until terms are finalized. Commissioner Wolfsen provided the board with the advisory committee member list. The board did not take a final contracting vote at this meeting but discussed next steps: commissioning a professional study and preparing an operations manual and meeting with state agencies to clarify allowable changes and seasonal flow considerations.