Raise the water level on Houghton Lake

3/10/2024 - PETITION TO RAISE LEGAL WATER LEVEL OF HOUGHTON LAKE

As summer approaches, this year will be little unique compared to others due to the lack of snow. As we will be starting off the summer at the same water level as when we finished last summer. Currently slightly below the summer legal limit. Which means a long spring and long summer of fighting with low waters, versus, half a summer like most.

Our Roscommon Board of Commissioners' hands are tied when it comes to this matter. Due to a recent court order passed a few years back. The board MUST keep the Houghton Lake water level exactly at the legal summer and winter water levels. They are not able to bank water (like in years past) or close the dam if we are above these legal limits Doing so could possibly lead to prosecution or a potential lawsuit.

I, like many others, feel the summer legal level of 8.1, set in 1926, is outdated and needs to be adjusted. Many things have changed over the past 100 years including this new court order mandating the dam be open until the legal limit is met.

I have reviewed the lake level data for the past 15 years and most summers before this court order was set, our lake level was 6-12 inches above the legal limit for over half or most of the summer. This seemed to keep most people using the lake happy.

So... after doing much reading and researching, the only way that we are going to get back to a reasonable lake level is to use the court system to change that. To do so, we would need to get 2/3's of the lakefront property owners to sign a petition.

In an effort to not upset the few people against this change, and in an effort to make a change for the rest, who would enjoy our lake so much more if the water level was higher. Here are the proposed changes that will be written into the petition.

1) Raise the summer legal lake level from 8.1 to 8.6. (6" higher)

2) Change the summer legal lake level date to start March 1st, and end October 1st.

3) No changes would be made to the winter level.

Unfortunately, to make a change like this, will require an attorney to help facilitate, since this process will ultimately be going through the Roscommon Court system.

Money raised from this GoFundMe, will be solely used to pay for the attorney fees and any costs possibly needed to mail out petitions to be signed, in the event that e-signs are not an option.

If you are one of the many who would like to see our lake level higher, please help donate to this GoFundMe to help cover the cost to make this petition happen.

Thanks in Advance.

Dustin Turczynski