DNR sells surplus acreage to Marenisco Township in Upper Peninsula
Sale will maintain habitat, recreational opportunities at the Presque Isle River Dam flooding area in Gogebic County
Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Keith Creagh recently approved the sale of six acres at the Presque Isle River Dam flooding area to Marenisco Township in Gogebic County. The dam is located south of Marenisco, off the west side of M-64.
“With the dam repairs, this impoundment enjoyed by anglers and hunters is expected to return to a popular waterfowl and warm-water fishing destination for Marenisco Township,” said Terry Minzey, DNR Upper Peninsula regional wildlife supervisor. “This is a good example of the DNR partnering with local communities for the benefit of citizens and natural resources.”
The DNR has completed a $126,000 project to replace corroded gates at the dam and repair a steel beam that broke in spring flooding in 2013. Funding for the work came from the DNR and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
When filled, the impoundment creates an 875-acre lake, which has been managed primarily under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service’s Ottawa National Forest.
The land parcels were acquired by the state in 1958 as a gift from Gogebic County or through purchases with state game funds. That same year, the Michigan Department of Conservation built the Presque Isle River Dam on the West Branch of the Presque Isle River to provide waterfowl and fish habitat. The Gogebic County Board managed the dam.
In April 2002, warm temperatures during spring snow-melt produced high water at the dam. The dam’s gates were not opened. Water overtopped the left embankment and the dam failed. Three years later, the DNR resumed responsibility for the dam and rebuilt the embankment.
“We’re pleased with the DNR that they’ve decided to be in favor of repairing the dam and then turning it over to us,” said Marenisco Township Supervisor Dick Bouvette. “We think that we have some pretty good uses for the dam. It will be an excellent place for waterfowl, fishing and probably any type of study anybody would want to do on birds and water mammals.”
Bouvette said the township plans to improve a public park at the flooding area by removing some stumps and brush, adding picnic tables and updating a restroom.
In previous years the flooding area had been home to panfish and bass, with a few northern pike and muskellunge. Wetland bird species including black terns, American bitterns and common yellowthroats also were found at the site.
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/Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Suggested captions follow.
Upstream: The Presque Isle River Dam in Marenisco Township is shown, prior to recent repairs. The township will own and operate the dam after a land sale approved by Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Keith Creagh.
Right Spillway: A view of the right spillway of the Presque Isle River Dam.
Rebuilt Embankment: The left embankment, rebuilt since spring flooding and dam failure in 2002, is shown here./
- Presque Isle Dam-Upstream.jpg
- Presque Isle Dam-Right Spillway.jpg
- Presque Isle Dam-Rebuilt Embankment.jpg
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