COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Drain Commissioner Michael Hard told the Branch County Board of Commissioners during their work session Thursday morning that after lowering the water level by two-and-a-half feet, the potential impact of a failure at the Blackhawk Dam in Coldwater Township has been seriously reduced.
Hard said the City of Coldwater will allow them to rent their camera equipment so engineers can see if there are any problems underneath the dam.
Hard indicated the costs for the emergency repairs that had to be made by private contractors on the day the problems were discovered will not be cheap. The bills so far have amounted to about $23,000. It’s anticipated another contractor will charge between $12,000 and $15,000.
As for the future of the dam, Hard said there are grant funds available if the county wants to remove the dam, but no funds are available if they want to fix it.
There are 83 parcels around the millpond that could face a significant property value loss if the dam was taken out.
Hard said they will not raise the water level back up until they are assured the dam is safe.
