3 days ago
Kalamazoo County secures $3.4M for ‘urgent' dam replacement
VICKSBURG, Mich. (WOOD) — Kalamazoo County says it has secured more than $3 million in funding to replace a 175-year-old dam.
Sunset Lake Dam in Vicksburg was originally built in 1850. Since then, officials say the dam has 'deteriorated significantly,' with its concrete structures in poor condition and its main spillway unable to handle large amounts of rain, and it could pose a risk to those who live nearby.
'The current dam requires manual removal of wooden stoplogs to control lake levels before heavy rain, which is labor-intensive and poses safety risks for our staff,' said Drain Commissioner Jason Wiersma in a statement. 'Even with all stoplogs removed, the dam lacks the capacity to handle a 200-year flood, as mandated by state regulations. The combination of its outdated design and poor condition makes this replacement project urgent.'
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To support the project, the Kalamazoo County Drain Commissioner's Office has secured $3.4 million in funding over the past few years: $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, which was allocated through the county, and an additional from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.
The county intends to demolish the old spillway and build a new, modern spillway, updated channels and better safety features — a 'state-of-the-art system that prioritizes safety and reliability,' according to Wiersma. The safety features will help keep swimmers and boaters away from the spillway and protect pedestrians and cars from any hazards. According to officials, the project will cut the risk of dam failure and improve water level management.
Currently, the project is in the design and permitting phase. The county is working with Spicer Group, which specializes in dam engineering, to oversee inspections and construction.
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