Possible Leakage at Hodenpyl Dam

Hodenpyl Dam and Pond

mostly from M-Live

The severe flooding this spring has changed the condition of many of the dams that Consumers Energy has been trying to sell to a third party, and is one of the factors affecting the status of that salw. One of the potential problem areas is at Hodenpyl Dam near Mesick, Michigan, on the Manistee River.

There are potential leaks, sinkholes and damage to sheet piling at Hodenpyl. Inspection could require shutting off the flow of water, and dewatering parts of the river. This could impact fish and other aquatic wildlife, as well as recreation. The inspection is being delayed until August as Consumers Energy contemplates a way to keep some water flowing downstream during that time.

Dam failure is not considered a concern, but inspection and repairs do need to take place soon. Consumers is recommending the condition be checked before fall.

Hodenpyl impounds 2025 surface acres of water, and is considered "high hazard," because failure is likely to cause property damage and death. The dam pond and the Manistee River are high value recreation venues. A portion of the North Country Trail closely follows the shore of the pond.


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Dam Sirens to Be Tested Friday

Friday, December 14, at 9 am the siren at Tippy Dam (Wellston area) near High Bridge Road will be sounded. This is a regular test of the emergency public warning siren and speaker system maintained by Consumers Energy. The siren test at Hodenpyl dam (Mesick area) will be tested at 11 am on the same date.

The tests will include a voice message, sounding of the siren, and a second voice message. No action needs to be taken by the public. The system is regularly tested every August and December.

Such tests are required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. If there were an imminent threat of dam failure the sirens would be sounded, and anyone on or near the river should move immediately to high gound.

Consumers Energy operates hydroelectric generating plants at both Tippy and Hodenpyl Dams.

from the Ludington Daily News, December 12, 2007
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Cooler Water Below Dams Will Improve Fishing

If all goes as planned, the water flowing out of several Michigan hydroelectric dams will be cooler and better suited for fish habitat, according to plans released Wedneday by Consumers Energy.

Consumers studied how much cold water pooled up at the bottom of Hodenpyl Pond, the theory being that the cool water, although lacking in oxygen, could be used to alleviate some of the warming experienced on the Manistee River during the height of summer. Releasing it in the river could help mitigate the warming effect the ams have on the rivers.

The DNR and steelhead and trout anglers are hoping the upwelling cools the Hodenpyl outflow enough that the Tippy [Dam] outflow will also be affected.

Past University of Michigan studies have shown that although the stretch below Tippy produces many young steelhead, many of them die before getting a chance to go to Lake Michigan. Scientists have theorized warm water is a factor in that mortality.

Marty Holtgran, a fisheries biologist with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, was hopeful the temperature improvements would help stave off fish diseases and return some natural order to the lower Manistee watershed.

"Certainly an improvement in water temperature - something that mimics natural conditions - would be a benefit to the fish community, including trout, salmon and sturgeon," Holtgren said. "It's a step in the right direction."

This is part of an extensive article in the June 9, 2007 edition of the Ludington Daily News- see FAIR USE notice.
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