The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is recommending removal of Trout Lake Dam in Gladwin County. The DNR is responsible for over 200 dams, many of which are declining in condition and need maintenance, including Trout Lake Dam. The deteriorating condition of the dam poses ecological and public safety risks, and removal was determined to be the best feasible option for balancing ecological benefits, public recreation and safety, and the DNR’s limited financial capacity for dam repair.
The 25-acre Trout Lake Dam impoundment provides recreational opportunities for the Trout Lake State Forest Campground and boating access site, which are located on the impoundment. Trout Lake Dam was built in 1961 and is located within state forest lands in the Gladwin Field Trial Area. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the expected lifespan of dam is 50 years; the 63-year-old Trout Lake Dam has exceeded its lifespan by 13 years. Efforts by DNR Fisheries staff to mitigate deteriorating components have been unsuccessful, and leakage has resulted in the water level lowering 7 feet below the normal impoundment elevation.
A 2024 inspection by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy — the state agency that regulates dams — determined that Trout Lake Dam was in poor condition and required remedial action. Due to ecological changes in the region and changes in fisheries management best practices, the dam is no longer critical for managing the resource, and funding is not available for repair expenses and subsequent required routine maintenance and operation costs.
As a next step, the DNR Fisheries Division will pursue EGLE permits to draw down the impoundment as necessary to address immediate public safety concerns, then seek removal funding. Currently, no changes are planned for the campground, and recreational users can take advantage of similar fishing opportunities available nearby.
For more information on the management of DNR-owned dams, visit Michigan.gov/DNRDams.
