Damage Noted at Net River Dam

A dam at the Net River Flooding State Wildlife Management Area in Covington Township is in trouble.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials say a person visiting the area at the south outlet of Net River Flooding was the first to report a washed-out area around the dam on Wednesday.

DNR wildlife operations field manager Bill Scullon says it appears that some corrosion around the water control structure in the middle of the dam caused a sinkhole to develop. At this time, other embankments upstream and downstream appear to be solid. The amount of water moving through the dam is considered normal for this time of year.

The Net River dam is considered to be “low hazard,” with little risk to public safety, property or the environment if it fails. Several camp owners who use the road across the dam to access their property have been notified. Two highway bridges on US-141 and one rail bridge downstream would likely not be affected if the dam were to fail. The Paint River dam near Crystal Falls could be affected by a significant release of water. Officials are lowering that reservoir as a precaution.

Scullon says the dam will be monitored, as officials develop a repair plan.

The dam was last inspected in 2020, and received a “fair” rating.