HOLLY, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) began an emergency 4-foot drawdown of Holly’s Stiffs Mill Pond Monday, which the department said will reduce the risk of dam failure until the village decides whether to remove or rehabilitate the aging dam.
The drawdown has raised concerns among many nearby residents and local officials about how it might impact well water quality and wildlife.
Several village officials have criticized EGLE for rushing the process, ahead of a scheduled court hearing next Tuesday.
“It seems to be that they want to get the drawdown already done before it gets to a judge, so the judge will say ‘well, the damage has already been done,’” said Village of Holly Manager Timothy Price. “We think that this damage that could be done could be irreparable.”
The Village of Holly requested a temporary restraining order Monday against the 6-inch a day water level decrease citing “unknown ecological impacts.” The request was denied Monday afternoon due to the “potential impact on public safety,” according to court documents.
“We know the situation is frustrating, and we share that frustration,” EGLE said in a statement to Spectrum News following the ruling. ”Michigan residents should be able to feel confident in the safety of our dams, and the use of our lakes and streams should not be interrupted because of failure to maintain infrastructure. We will continue to work with Holly and all other communities facing similar challenges to ensure that safety risks posed by dams are addressed.”
A 2017 EGLE assessment rated the dam’s condition as poor, which typically requires further studies to assess risk. A recent engineering report for the village raised concerns about the dam’s earthen embankment, in part due to what EGLE referred to as “unauthorized modifications” made by the village in 2021.
Some residents and officials said that communication from EGLE has not been clear on what needs to be done.
“They’re not really willing to give us information on what we’d need to do to draw back up,” said Ragina Kakos, a nearby resident and member of the village’s Mill Pond Dam Committee. “And they’re kind of being open ended on what they want us to take care of. We’d like to fix the spillway, we want to fix it to whatever safety standards are required by law to this date.”
“Without having a clear goal line, it is very difficult for us to make an informed decision on how we should proceed further,” said Price.
While winter drawdowns to the pond have been common, this is the first time drawdown on Mill Pond has been attempted this time of year, leaving many nearby residents worried about the environmental impact.
“Drawing this thing down in the middle of the summer, when the heat is here, we just expect disaster,” said Holly resident Sherlyn Everly.
“There’s going to be turtles that are not going to be able to survive,” said Rose Township resident Patrick Klenner. “There’s all kinds of fish in here, anything from bluegills, sunfish, to pike. That’s what we’re going to be left with when this water is gone.”
Many Rose Township residents on the pond’s northern shore rely on well water, which some are concerned may be impacted.
“We are on a shallow well,” said Klenner. “There is a possibility that we might have to have another well dug at a deeper depth in order to get well water.”
Others have raised concerns about how the lowered water level will impact property values, especially if the Village of Holly decides removing the dam is the best course of action.
“If you have some water out in front of you, it’s always better for resale,” said Rose Township resident Steve Oliver.
Other residents expressed relief that the water level is being lowered, like Gary Helton, who lives near a floodplain downstream from the dam.
“I feel better now that they are bringing it down so then I don’t have to worry at night,” Helton said. “So then they can get an inspection on the dam to find out what really needs to be done.”
The Village of Holly and EGLE are scheduled to appear for a court hearing July 29 at 9 a.m.