by Fix MI State | Nov 11, 2019 | Dams & Other
They are not the biggest dams in the United States, not even close. Nor are the Upper and Lower Stony Lake Dams among the largest in Michigan but should they fail, someone could die. So, they are checked on a regular basis. “The state inspects it on a cycle of...
by Fix MI State | Nov 11, 2019 | Dams & Other
On a cold morning last March, Kenny Angel got a frantic knock on his door. Two workers from a utility company in northern Nebraska had come with a stark warning: Get out of your house. Just a little over a quarter-mile upstream, the 92-year-old Spencer Dam was...
by Fix MI State | Nov 8, 2019 | Dams & Other
Michigan is home to more than 2,615 dams. About a week ago, one of those dams failed in Argentine Township. A broken gate resulted in Lobdell and Bennett lakes losing approximately 11 inches of water over the course of about five days. Dams are monitored by the...
by Fix MI State | Oct 30, 2019 | Roads & Bridges
Whether you think about our rusting bridges, pothole-riddled roads or antiquated water and electrical systems, you have surely noticed the alarming state of our old and decaying infrastructure. You should be alarmed. A recent report card from the American Society of...
by Fix MI State | Oct 28, 2019 | Michigan beaches, Drinking Water & Recreational Waters
Ignorance isn’t bliss. Sometimes it takes an immense disaster to trigger necessary change. In the case of drinking water safety in Michigan, the Flint water crisis is that catalyst. It has been five years since news broke that thousands of Flint residents were...
by Fix MI State | Oct 26, 2019 | Roads & Bridges
The Van Buren County Road Commission has launched a new app to allow residents to report non-emergency road problems. With SeeClickFix, people will be able to take a photo of a road issue, like a pothole, give its location, add a description, and click “submit” to...
by Fix MI State | Oct 23, 2019 | Dams & Other
With 358 inland lakes in Oakland County, in a state surrounded by the largest freshwater source in the world – now at record-high levels – it’s difficult to ever imagine living a day without water. The Michigan Section/American Water Works Association (MI/AWWA),...
by Fix MI State | Oct 23, 2019 | Michigan beaches, Drinking Water & Recreational Waters
As the annual national observance of “Imagine a Day Without Water” is today, Oct. 23, Michigan Section/American Water Works Association (MI/AWWA) asks businesses and residents to support more investment in aging water infrastructure. Although Michigan is surrounded by...
by Fix MI State | Oct 15, 2019 | Stormwater & Wastewater
Heavy rains last week caused roughly 11 million gallons of sewage and storm water to pour into the Grand and Red Cedar rivers. More than 10 million gallons poured into the Grand River and roughly 470,000 gallons into the Red Cedar River. A public access point on the...
by Fix MI State | Oct 1, 2019 | Roads & Bridges
As I write this, our state lawmakers are embroiled in a debate about how to maintain Michigan’s road system. One hundred years ago, a band played and senators gave speeches at the White House, while banners were affixed to large military-style trucks reading “We’re...
