Consumers Energy constantly monitoring and inspecting two big dams in Newaygo County
Hardy Dam on the Muskegon River one of the largest earthen dams east of the Mississippi River, twice as tall as the Edenville Dam which failed in May 2020. Author: Jon Mills Updated: 6:19 PM EDT May 19, 2021
NEWAYGO COUNTY, Mich. Historic rain flooded mid-Michigan over a 48-hour period in May 2020 causing the embankment at the Edenville Dam to collapse leading to the evacuation of several thousand people from areas along the Tittabawassee River.
The dam s failure sent a 20-feet high wall of water rushing downriver, destroying homes and bridges resulting in $250 million in damages.
9 & 10 News
February 23, 2021
That means area rivers are once again being watched closely.
That includes the Muskegon River in Newaygo County, which has been prone to severe flooding in the past.
The county’s emergency manager says conditions appear to be on their side, but that could change and lead to trouble.
The Muskegon River is flowing freely through Newaygo County right now and that’s how Emergency Services Director Abby Watkins would like to keep seeing it.
“The heavy rainfall events is kind of what for and poses the biggest risk. So if we get heavy rain, anything over an inch, anytime between now and when the snow is gone and the ground is melted, then that can cause issues not only on our river, but that can also cause issues on the ground,” said Watkins.