Six years after Michigan dam disaster, water returns to Smallwood Lake

Six years after a catastrophic dam disaster left Smallwood Lake drawn down in Michigan, water is finally returning to the lake. The refill began on August 4, following the completion of a $50.2 million rebuild of Smallwood Dam, and is expected to take eight to 10 weeks, depending on weather conditions. The project will restore the lake for 721 waterfront properties.The refill is an important step in the wider restoration of Michigan's Four Lakes system. The Four Lakes Task Force said work at Smallwood Dam had reached a stage where the lake could begin filling again, even as construction continues at the other dam sites. “We are excited to meet this critical milestone in restoring the Four Lakes system,” Task Force President Dave Kepler said, as quoted by Midland Daily News.Before water began returning, crews completed most of the remaining work needed to prepare the dam.