1. The Future of Wixom Lake
“We’re all in this together”

2. Why the Lakes exist
The dams at Sanford, Edenville, Smallwood and Secord were built by Frank Wixom in 1925
Wixom owned all the upstream lands that were flooded
The flooding created four reservoirs and lots of waterfront real estate
Hydroelectric power was a relatively new industry and in its heyday in the 1920s
Dams provide recreational opportunities and flood control that would not exist without them

3. These photos were taken after the powerhouses were completed.

4. Federal Government Oversight
The Federal Power Act of 1920:
Established government oversight over power producing dams on “navigable waterways” of the United States
Established the Federal Power Commission to regulate them
Today that agency is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

5. Federal Government Oversight
Sanford Dam was licensed in 1987
Wolverine Power Company, the former owner of the dams, disputed the federal government in court for ten more years, but in Edenville, Smallwood and Secord Dams were licensed by FERC
FERC’s regulations require the dams’ owner to perform frequent engineering studies, monitoring, environmental and emergency management

6. What is the “PMF”?
The Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) is an event calculated by FERC to occur once every 10,000 years
By comparison, the flood of September, 1986 was a 100-year flood event
The FERC requires all “high hazard” dams to be able to safely pass the 10,000-year flood without failing (overtopping)
FERC considers Edenville to be a “high hazard” dam because its failure would likely result in loss of life and property at Sanford Lake and downstream
The Edenville dam and spillways are currently capable of passing a ____-year flood.
A dam is classified as “high hazard” if failure would cause loss of life downstream.

7. What needs to be done?
Six spillways will be reconstructed to double their capacity to pass flood water
There are 3 spillways at the Tobacco River side of the dam and 3 spillways adjacent to the Edenville powerhouse on the Tittabawassee River side
The total capacity of the six spillways is currently 32,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) (or 14,400,000 gallons per minute)
To comply with FERC’s mandate, the capacity of the six spillways will have to be increased to 64,000 cfs (or 28,800,000 gpm)
The Edenville dam and spillways are currently capable of passing a ____-year flood.
A dam is classified as “high hazard” if failure would cause loss of life downstream.

8. Spillway Comparison Current configuration of spillways
The existing Edenville spillways are hollow inside and about 38 feet high with 10 feet of gate.
Tittabawassee side adjacent to powerhouse shown; Tobacco spillway is similar

9. Spillway Comparison
Original construction of Tobacco spillway

10. Spillway Comparison
Original construction of Tobacco spillway

11. Spillway comparison FERC-Mandated alteration of spillways
The new spillways will be 24’-6” high with almost 24 feet of gate, and it will be solid concrete.
Tittabawassee side adjacent to powerhouse shown; Tobacco spillway is similar

12. Spillway construction
Example of cofferdam construction
The new spillways will be 24’-6” high with almost 24 feet of gate, and it will be solid concrete.

13. Spillway construction
Example of cofferdam construction
The new spillways will be 24’-6” high with almost 24 feet of gate, and it will be solid concrete.

14. Spillway construction
Example of cofferdam construction
The new spillways will be 24’-6” high with almost 24 feet of gate, and it will be solid concrete.

15. Spillway construction
Example of Cofferdam construction
The new spillways will be 24’-6” high with almost 24 feet of gate, and it will be solid concrete.

16. 3-Dimensional Views
Existing spillway construction

17. 3-Dimensional Views
First concrete pour inside spillway (summer 2013)

18. 3-Dimensional Views New concrete pier extensions (summer 2014)
This work takes place “in the dry” behind a sheet pile cofferdam

19. 3-Dimensional Views
Stoplogs are placed between piers & rest on new concrete sills
Once stoplogs are in place water levels can be returned to normal

20. 3-Dimensional Views
Construction work taking place between 2015 and 2016
Existing gate and bridge are removed
More concrete is poured in the base of the spillway

21. 3-Dimensional Views
Construction work taking place between 2015 and 2016
Concrete rollaway slabs and most of upstream barrel arches are removed

22. 3-Dimensional Views
Construction work taking place between 2015 and 2016
New concrete crest is poured

23. 3-Dimensional Views
Construction work taking place between 2015 and 2016
Concrete overlay is placed over entire pier structure

24. 3-Dimensional Views
Construction work taking place between 2015 and 2016
New bridge is constructed

25. 3-Dimensional Views Tobacco Spillway to be completed in 2016
New gate is installed and stoplogs are removed

26. 3-Dimensional Comparison
Existing spillway
Modified spillway

27. Why will the lake be lowered?
Half of the dam’s spillway capacity will be out of service while the cofferdam is in place
To reduce the risk of dam failure in the event of a significant flood, the drawdown will take place in the drier summer months
30 years of data show that rainfall is least in July, August and September
FERC requires it for dam safety

28. When will the lake be lowered?
Starting in June, 2014 Wixom Lake will be drawn down 8 feet for five months (until October) then returned to normal levels
The reservoir will be maintained at normal levels during 2015 and 2016
The second draw down will start in June, for five months, then Wixom Lake will be returned to normal levels in the fall
Normal water levels will be maintained thereafter

29. Will this construction increase the production and income of the dam?
No. The PMF spillway modification will only increase the dam’s ability to pass flood waters
During the drawdown for the Tobacco spillway construction in the summer of 2014, production and income at the Edenville powerhouse will actually be significantly reduced
The turbines are not able to run at full capacity with so little head water

30. Will this construction increase the production and income of the dam?
No. When the Edenville (Tittabawassee) spillway is under construction in 2017, electrical production will be shut down completely; there will be no income during this time from the Edenville dam
The entire spillway and powerhouse structure will be blocked off with a cofferdam for five months
A powerhouse is designed at the Tobacco spillway, but its cost is not included in the spillway alteration construction estimates
this could be privately financed due to its income- production capacity

31. Is the dam safe?
Yes. Boyce complies with all FERC-mandated dam safety requirements
The Edenville dam is well maintained and is structurally sound
Crushed stone reinforcing and drainage improvements have been made to the earthen dam
Drainage improvements and reinforcing are ongoing for the safety and longevity of the dam

32. The PMF is an “unfunded federal mandate”
Boyce Hydro Power has negotiated with FERC for more than seven years to reduce the PMF requirement
Engineers succeeded in reducing the requirement, but FERC will not eliminate it
There is no Federal funding or grant money available to Boyce to pay for the PMF alterations
Boyce’s income from the operation of the dam doesn’t come close to paying for the FERC mandates

33. Why can’t Boyce pay for the PMF?
Net income after expenses from the operation of the Edenville dam is less than $200,000 per year
The rates being paid to Boyce by Consumers Energy for energy production have not increased in the last seven years
There is continued downward pressure on rates, despite increases in energy prices to end users
The cost of operations continues to rise, i.e. materials, gasoline and diesel fuel, and employee benefits such as health insurance

34. We’re all in this together
The cost of this federally-mandated spillway modification project is currently estimated to exceed $8 million
Boyce does not have the capital to support such a massive expense
Private financing is unavailable
Current income is not enough and the PMF alteration does not increase income
Grants are also unavailable at this time
The State provides some grant money to remove or repair smaller dams, but not to comply with Federal mandates

35. We’re all in this together
We all want the same thing: the guaranteed future of Edenville dam and Wixom Lake
Boyce, waterfront residents, and other businesses depend on the reservoir
Public financing is one alternative to pursue
Let’s work together to find a solution to this looming problem

36. Call to Action Strive to obtain and distribute accurate information
Get involved with local task forces that have been established to work with our elected representatives
We will overcome these issues and ensure the future of Wixom Lake for generations to come by working together