Reedsburg Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Reedsburg Dam |
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The Reedsburg Dam (September 2020)
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 Location within the state Michigan
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| Country | United States |
| Location | Enterprise Township Missaukee County, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 44°21′22″N 84°51′33″W / 44.356120°N 84.859300°W |
| Purpose | Flood control |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 1940 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Barrage |
| Impounds | Muskegon River |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Dead Stream Flooding |
| Total capacity | 540 acres (219 ha) |
The Reedsburg Dam is a special kind of dam that crosses the Muskegon River in Michigan. It's located in Missaukee County. This dam was built in 1940 by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps. Its main job was to help stop flooding from Houghton Lake. This lake is about 6 miles (9.7 km) upstream and is where the Muskegon River starts.
The area behind the dam is a reservoir called the Dead Stream Flooding. This whole area is part of the Dead Stream Flooding State Wildlife Management Area. This wildlife area even stretches into Roscommon County. The Reedsburg Dam is the smallest and newest of the four dams on the Muskegon River. Other larger dams downstream include the Croton Dam, Hardy Dam, and Rogers Dam.
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Fun Things to Do at Reedsburg Dam
The Reedsburg Dam is easy to find, located along County Road 300. It's about 5 miles (8.0 km) northwest of the town of Houghton Lake. You can also find it about 3 miles (4.8 km) west of U.S. Route 127. The nearest city is Lake City, which is about 18 miles (29 km) west.
Wildlife and Outdoor Activities
The Muskegon River and Dead Stream Flooding are home to many types of fish. You might see bluegill, pumpkinseed, and both small and largemouth bass. Other fish include walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, and bowfin. You can also find native crayfish here.
The land around the dam is open for hunting during certain seasons. People can hunt waterfowl (like ducks), turkey, and deer. There's a path across the dam that hunters often use. This path helps them reach more remote trails in the wilderness. Some of these trails used to be old railway lines.
Other Popular Activities
Besides hunting, many people enjoy other activities at the dam. These include watching birds, geocaching (a treasure hunt using GPS), and photography. On hot days, some people even go swimming by jumping off the dam into the reservoir. Canoeing and kayaking are also popular ways to explore the water.
There's a simple campground right next to the dam called Reedsburg Dam State Forest Campground. It's run by the nearby North Higgins Lake State Park. The campground has a public boat launch. However, it's better to use smaller boats. The water in the Dead Stream Flooding can be shallow, and there might be hidden things underwater.
Recent Dam Updates
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Starting in August 2018, the Reedsburg Dam went through a big reconstruction project. This work lasted for over a year. The dam was almost 80 years old, so it needed major repairs. Workers had to rebuild parts of the earthen dike and the concrete and steel structures.
During the project, the Dead Stream Flooding reservoir was slowly drained. This allowed only the normal flow of the Muskegon River to pass through. A new steel walkway and stairs were also built, replacing the old wooden ones. Many rocks were brought in to make the dam's dike stronger. They also reinforced the riverbanks right below the dam.
Project Completion and Water Levels
The final steps of the construction were delayed in early 2020. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said that over 90% of the work was done before the government shutdowns. After the dam was rebuilt, the water levels in the reservoir started to rise. The plan was for the water to return to normal levels by summer.
The dam reconstruction was finished in September 2020. Even though the project is complete, the water levels in the reservoir are still a bit lower than they used to be. The campground stayed open during the entire project. The dock at the boat launch had to be moved because the water level dropped. The launch itself could still be used, even with less water. Now that the project is done, the water levels will be raised very slowly over time.
Images for kids
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The original Reedsburg Dam structure, which was rebuilt in 2019–2020
