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Image by Ali Kazal

North Manistique Lake

North Manistique (Round) Lake is a nearly 1,720 acre natural lake fed by several springs and a small inlet. It's only outlet, Helmer Creek, contains a dam which maintains the lake level. Helmer Creek flows south into Big Manistique Lake.

Big Manistique Lake

Big Manistique Lake has a surface area greater than 10,000 acres, stretching into Luce and Mackinac Counties. Portage Creek and Helmer Creek feed into the lake. The lake drains into the Manistique River where the Manistique Lake Dam is located.

Image by Rick Medlen

Manistique Lakes

Lake Level Project

The Process

This is the process we will follow to establish lake level special assessment districts and update lake level orders in circuit court. 

Public Meeting

A public meeting will educate community members about the process of establishing a lake level special assessment district and why it is necessary. 

Recommend a Lake Level Special Assessment District

With input from county equalization and township assessors, consultantswill propose tentative special assessment district boundaries around North Manistique Lake and Big Manistique Lake based on parcels that benefit from the lake levels.

Update Lake Level Orders in Circuit Court

Suggested changes to the orders: ensure the legal levels in the orders match the physical levels of the lakes, update survey datum, add variation language, and confirm special assessment district boundaries.

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Big Manistique Lake will have a proposed legal winter level.

Implement Lake Level Special Assessment

To recoup the costs of this work, the counties will implement lake level special assessment.

FAQs

  • What are the proposed updates to the lake level order for North Manistique Lake?
    1. Add variation language to the legal levels (to allow for minor variations due to things like weather, construction, operation of the lake level control structure, etc.). 2. Establish a special assessment district that contains properties that front the lake and backlot properties with private legal access.
  • What are the proposed updates to the lake level order for Big Manistique Lake?
    1. Add variation language to the legal levels (to allow for minor variations due to things like weather, construction, operation of the lake level control structure, etc.). 2. Add seasonal legal levels where necessary (i.e., a summer level and a winter level which is generally lower). 3. Establish a special assessment district that contains properties that front the lake and backlot properties with private legal access.
  • Why is it called a lake level order and a lake level special assessment district if the lake levels aren't changing?
    The legal framework for establishing and maintaining inland lake levels is Part 307, Inland Lake Levels, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 Pa 451. It is called a "lake level order" or "lake level special assessment district" because Part 307 is about maintaining the normal or legal lake level - it does not necessarily mean the lake level is changing.
  • What are the legal levels for each lake?
    Lake levels are shown in feet above sea level.
  • What is a legal lake level?
    According to the Michigan Legislature, '"Normal level' [legal level] means the level or levels of the water of an inland lake... that provide the most benefit to the public; that best protect the public health, safety, and welfare; that best preserve the natural resources of the state; and that best preserve and protect the value of property around the lake. A normal level shall be measured and described as an elevation based on national geodetic vertical datum."
  • What is the process for establishing a special assessment district?
    The county passes a resolution to initiate the process to establish special assessment district (SAD) boundaries. Consultants review the area around the lake (including plats and deeds) and talk to the county and township assessors to determine which properties benefit from the lake level. The legal counsel files a petition in the county circuit court to establish a SAD. The court sets a date for a hearing to amend the lake level order. Property owners within the proposed SAD boundaries will receive a letter in the mail informing them of the hearing date and that their parcel is being considered for inclusion. At the hearing, the judge reviews all comments and testimony then decides to approve or deny the petition to amend the lake level order to update lake level order and establish SAD boundaries.
  • Is the lake level special assessment district the same as a weed control district?
    No, these are not the same. A different law governs weed treatment special assessment districts (SAD). It's likely that a weed treatment SAD will have different boundaries than a lake level SAD.
  • Does the public get to vote on this?
    State law does not give property owners or the public an opportunity to vote on the establishment of a lake level special assessment district or assessment amount, however there are many opportunities throughout the process to provide input and opinions.
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