Crews are literally racing against the clock to make critical repairs to the failed Edenville dam before the Spring thaw. The objective is simple: lower the spillway crest on the Tobacco River side so that water is diverted back to flowing into the Tobacco River. This, in turn, lowers the overall impoundment level of the dam to a safe elevation. Right now, the Tobacco River is diverted off its channel and it flows directly into the Tittabawassee (when the dam initially failed, the Tobacco started cutting through its causeway, which resulted in it lowering its levels to a point where it can no longer flow over the spillway).
The risk of further failure and destruction is still incredibly high, if the flow of water and impoundment levels cannot be controlled. February 15, 2021 is the targeted completion date. The below article explains just how tenuous the whole situation still is. I can't imagine the stress of owning a residence on Wixom Lake or along these rivers right now - there are many reports of angry residents and plummeting home values.
Quote:
Crews Race to Repair Edenville Dam Before Thaw
Lori Tobias | Construction Equipment Guide Correspondent
January 06, 2021
Emergency work on a failed dam in Midland County, Mich., has Fisher Contracting Co. crews working six days a week on a tight timeline under risky conditions.
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Source:
CEG | Courtesy MI Dept. of EGLE