Post by ridge on Apr 17, 2014 22:44:49 GMT -5
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2014
Contact: Rex Ainslie, 989-280-9466 or Katie Keen, 231-775-9727
Rural dam in Roscommon County failed
Wraco Dam in Roscommon County failed Tuesday morning at approximately 9 a.m. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) maintains the dam, located along Wolf Creek in Roscommon Township.
Wraco Dam failureThe Wraco Dam is listed as a low-hazard dam that should not affect downstream private residences, because the land surrounding the dam is public land, managed by the DNR. U.S. 127, which crosses Wolf Creek, is currently being monitored by the Michigan Department of Transportation but is not found to be severely impacted at this time. A flash flood warning has been issued downstream from the dam, though no structures are present.
The dam will be assessed by Department of Environmental Quality dam engineer Jim Pawolski.
“Human safety is our number one concern in this situation,” said DNR Regional Supervisor Rex Ainslie. “We ask that you please keep your distance from the high waters.”
Increased rainfall in the area, with already saturated soils, contributed to the low spillway at the Wraco Dam not being able to handle the volume of water. The DNR acquired the Wraco Dam and the property surrounding it, including a lake approximately 65 acres in size, four years ago. The DNR manages over 250 dams around the state, and continues to monitor the conditions of all dams statewide due to the recent heavy rainfall.
The additional impacts of the heavy rain are still being monitored on public land, and currently there is at least one recreational bridge, managed by the DNR in Roscommon County's Roscommon Township, that is under water. Please do not attempt to cross any roads or bridges that are water-covered.
April 16, 2014
Contact: Rex Ainslie, 989-280-9466 or Katie Keen, 231-775-9727
Rural dam in Roscommon County failed
Wraco Dam in Roscommon County failed Tuesday morning at approximately 9 a.m. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) maintains the dam, located along Wolf Creek in Roscommon Township.
Wraco Dam failureThe Wraco Dam is listed as a low-hazard dam that should not affect downstream private residences, because the land surrounding the dam is public land, managed by the DNR. U.S. 127, which crosses Wolf Creek, is currently being monitored by the Michigan Department of Transportation but is not found to be severely impacted at this time. A flash flood warning has been issued downstream from the dam, though no structures are present.
The dam will be assessed by Department of Environmental Quality dam engineer Jim Pawolski.
“Human safety is our number one concern in this situation,” said DNR Regional Supervisor Rex Ainslie. “We ask that you please keep your distance from the high waters.”
Increased rainfall in the area, with already saturated soils, contributed to the low spillway at the Wraco Dam not being able to handle the volume of water. The DNR acquired the Wraco Dam and the property surrounding it, including a lake approximately 65 acres in size, four years ago. The DNR manages over 250 dams around the state, and continues to monitor the conditions of all dams statewide due to the recent heavy rainfall.
The additional impacts of the heavy rain are still being monitored on public land, and currently there is at least one recreational bridge, managed by the DNR in Roscommon County's Roscommon Township, that is under water. Please do not attempt to cross any roads or bridges that are water-covered.
