The Future of Wixom Lake

“We’re all in this together”

The dams at Sanford, Edenville, Smallwood and Secord were built by Frank Wixom in 1925◦ Wixom owned all the upstream lands that were

flooded◦ The flooding created four reservoirs and lots of

waterfront real estate◦ Hydroelectric power was a relatively new industry

and in its heyday in the 1920s◦ Dams provide recreational opportunities and flood

control that would not exist without them

Why the Lakes exist

The Federal Power Act of 1920:◦ Established government oversight over power

producing dams on “navigable waterways” of the United States

◦ Established the Federal Power Commission to regulate them

Today that agency is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

Federal Government Oversight

FERC licenses power producing dams FERC’s regulations require the dams’ owner

to perform frequent engineering studies, monitoring, environmental and emergency management and to comply with its dam safety standards

Federal Government Oversight

The Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) is an event calculated by FERC to occur once every 10,000 years ◦ By comparison, the flood of September, 1986 was

a between a 50- and 100-year flood event The FERC requires all “high hazard” dams to

be able to safely pass the 10,000-year flood without failing (overtopping)◦ The Edenville Dam is considered a “high hazard”

dam because its failure would likely result in loss of life and property downstream at Sanford Lake

What is the “PMF”?

Six spillways will be reconstructed to double their capacity to pass flood water◦ There are 3 spillways at the Tobacco River side of

the dam and 3 spillways adjacent to the Edenville powerhouse on the Tittabawassee River side

The total capacity of the six spillways is currently 32,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) (or 14,400,000 gallons per minute)

To comply with FERC’s mandate, the capacity of the six spillways will have to be increased to 64,000 cfs (or 28,800,000 gpm)

What needs to be done?

Spillway ComparisonCurrent configuration of spillways

Tittabawassee side adjacent to powerhouse shown; Tobacco spillway is similar

Spillway comparisonFERC-Mandated alteration of spillways

Tittabawassee side adjacent to powerhouse shown; Tobacco spillway is similar

Spillway constructionExample of cofferdam construction

Spillway constructionExample of cofferdam construction

Spillway constructionExample of cofferdam construction

Spillway constructionExample of Cofferdam construction

3-Dimensional ViewsExisting spillway construction

3-Dimensional ViewsFirst concrete pour inside spillway (summer 2013)

3-Dimensional ViewsNew concrete pier extensions (summer 2014)

This work takes place “in the dry” behind a sheet pile cofferdam

3-Dimensional ViewsStoplogs are placed between piers & rest on new concrete sills

Once stoplogs are in place water levels can be returned to normal

3-Dimensional ViewsConstruction work taking place between 2015 and 2016

More concrete is

poured in the base of the

spillway

Existing gate and bridge are

removed

3-Dimensional ViewsConstruction work taking place between 2015 and 2016

Concrete rollaway slabs and most of upstream barrel arches are removed

3-Dimensional ViewsConstruction work taking place between 2015 and 2016

New concrete crest is poured

3-Dimensional ViewsConstruction work taking place between 2015 and 2016

Concrete overlay is placed over entire pier structure

3-Dimensional ViewsConstruction work taking place between 2015 and 2016

New bridge is constructed

3-Dimensional ViewsTobacco Spillway to be completed in 2016

New gate is installed and stoplogs are removed

3-Dimensional ComparisonExisting spillway Modified spillway

Half of the dam’s spillway capacity will be out of service while the sheet pile cofferdam is in place

The drawdown provides a “buffer” as a precaution so that the spillway structure that is still open can be used to pass enough flood water to avoid dam failure

30 years of data show that rainfall is least in July, August and September◦ While rare, floods have been known to happen in

summer FERC requires it for dam safety

Why will the lake be lowered?

Starting in June, 2014 Wixom Lake will be drawn down 8 feet for five months (until October) then returned to normal levels

The reservoir will be maintained at normal levels during 2015 and 2016 while construction continues behind the stoplogs

The second draw down will start in June, 2017 when construction begins on the pier extensions for the Tittabawasse spillway for five months, then Wixom Lake will be returned to normal levels in the fall and maintained thereafter

When will the lake be lowered?

No. The PMF spillway modification will only increase the dam’s ability to pass flood waters◦ During the drawdown for the Tobacco spillway

construction in the summer of 2014, production and income at the Edenville powerhouse will actually be significantly reduced

◦ The turbines are not able to run at full capacity with so little head water

Will this construction increase the production and income of the dam?

No. When the Edenville (Tittabawassee) spillway is under construction in 2017, electrical production will be shut down completely; there will be no income during this time from the Edenville dam◦ The entire spillway and powerhouse structure will

be blocked off with a cofferdam for five months◦ A powerhouse is designed at the Tobacco spillway,

but its cost is not included in the spillway alteration construction estimates this could be privately financed due to its income-

production capacity

Will this construction increase the production and income of the dam?

Yes. Boyce complies with all FERC-mandated dam safety requirements

The Edenville dam is well maintained and is structurally sound

Dam stability improvements and reinforcing are ongoing for the safety and longevity of the dam◦ Boyce has spent over $1.3 million over the past

six years on these improvements at Edenville Dam alone

Is the dam safe?

Boyce Hydro Power has negotiated with FERC for more than seven years to reduce the PMF requirement◦ Engineers succeeded in reducing the requirement,

but FERC will not eliminate it There is no Federal funding or grant money

available to Boyce to pay for the PMF alterations◦ The PMF Spillway alteration does not qualify for

federal or state grants

The PMF is an “unfunded federal mandate”

Net income after expenses from the operation of the Edenville dam is less than $200,000 per year

The cost of operations continues to rise, i.e. materials, gasoline and diesel fuel, and employee benefits such as health insurance

Private financing is unavailable◦ The dam is already encumbered with debt◦ The PMF spillway alteration does not increase

income

Why can’t Boyce pay for the PMF?

Boyce is paid 30% less by Consumers than the average of all the other 14 independent hydroelectric power producers in the state

The rates being paid to Boyce by Consumers Energy for energy production have not increased in the last seven years◦ There is continued downward pressure from

Consumers on rates, despite increases in energy prices to end users

Why can’t Boyce pay for the PMF?

The cost of this federally-mandated spillway modification project is currently estimated to exceed $8 million

Boyce does not have the capital to support such a massive expense

Grants are also unavailable at this time◦ The State provides some grant money to remove

or repair smaller dams, but not to comply with Federal mandates

We’re all in this together

We all want the same thing: the guaranteed future of Edenville dam and Wixom Lake

Boyce, waterfront residents, and other businesses depend on the reservoir

Public financing is one alternative to pursue Let’s work together to find a solution to this

looming problem

We’re all in this together

Strive to obtain and distribute accurate information

Get involved with local task forces that have been established to work with our elected representatives

We will overcome these issues and ensure the future of Wixom Lake for generations to come by working together

Call to Action