COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – After some questions were raised during a previous meeting in regards to the dams in Branch County, Drain Commissioner Mike Hard spoke to the County Board of Commissions during their work session last week about their current conditions.
Hard oversees nine dams in Branch County including the Blackhawk Dam that is reported to be in poor condition.
The cost to repair the dam is about $2 million with about 30 parcels being accessed for that amount.
Hard told Commissioner Randall Hazelbaker they are waiting for grant money to become available.
The dam came close to failing on August 19, 2018. Branch County emergency management officials warned on that day of significant flooding in the Coldwater River area including the Pilot Knob area on Coldwater’s west side.
Hard estimated at the time the dam held back 38 million gallons of water and if had let go, they were in trouble. He credited quick action by the property owner and private contractors working for Hard’s office in preventing a flood.
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