2007 Bridge Work Emails
DAVID:
Who concluded/says we need a study? Or a new dam?
I was involved when we put the dam in over 35 years ago.
Clearly the dam has worked…saved us many times…USL LEVEL LOWER THAN MIDDLE STRAITS LAKE LEVEL!
Why is a new dam needed?
I agree!!! Why spend $19,000 to study the dam?
Is it not working? Properly? In risk of failing?
Over the years…how many times and for how long has the water level in Middle Straits been higher or lower that Upper Straits Lake and by how many inches [or tenths of a foot]?
As I recall, We [Alice Green] had to set up a special assessment district for Upper Straits lake [both in the Village of Orchard lake and WBTWP] to build the dam. I don’t recall the cost!
Jim Cherfoli, should we post this information on our USCLA web site?
Tom Itin
Co founder
President
Upper Straits Clean lake Association
248 994 0099
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Subject: FW: Upper STraits
Steve,
$19,000 for an analysis of the dam seems very high. If they deem it inadequate, what is your best est. of the cost to replace/repair the dam? Seems like $19,000 could be better applied to the dam replacement rather than getting someone out to analyze the dam. The Drain Commission should have the capability internally to assess the dam condition without having to subcontract it out for large fee. Please reconsider your strategy.
Thanks,
Dave Boerger
Mayor, City of Orchard Lake and Upper Straits Lake resident
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Subject: FW: Upper STraits
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:48:35 -0400
Jan,
Yes, the ’07 lake level budget did increase. We have hired Spicer Group to evaluate the current structure at Upper Straits Lake and provide recommendations for a new dam design and cost estimates for its replacement. This study costs approximately $19,000. I anticipate the report to be completed in approximately two months.
Details of any future dam replacement project would be shared in a letter to the property owners in the lake level assessment district. Appropriate public informational meetings / hearings would be held.
Steve Korth
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Subject: Upper STraits
Hi Steve,
I’m bugging you about Upper Straits Lake this time. We received the 2007 assessments and Upper Straits increased more than $10,000 from its “normal” amount. Could you provide some insight into that?
Thanks, Jan
Janet Overholt Green
City Clerk
248 682 2400
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Upper Straits Lake Riparian's,
Today, Jan Green and I met with Steve Korth of the Oakland County Drain Commission concerning the Upper Straits Dam. Steve shared with us the detailed drawings of the 4' high wooden dam, steel frame and adjacent steel sheeting that was built in 1964, well beyond the expected useful life of such structures. The Drain Commission has the legal authority and responsibility to control lake levels per the terms of the Special Assessment District (SAD) that is in place to collect taxes for such purposes.
The Drain Commission has noticed that the steel sheeting adjacent to the dam has rusted through, and because the steel sheeting at the bottom of the dam itself is of the same material, it could also be very thin or already rusted through. In addition, when the dam was repaired last spring, the Drain Commission noticed that the center I-beam support was not fixed in place properly, which could breakaway totally by the pressure of winter ice or spring rains. As a result, they felt an engineering analysis was needed to properly assess the condition of the dam, to make recommendations, and develop some initial design parameters for repair or replacement of the dam. Three engineering firms responded to a request for proposal prepared by the Drain Commission, and The Spicer Group was selected earlier this year to complete the study by the end of the year for a fee of $16,000. Given the s tudy would also include some engineering work, and not just an inspection, the costs appear more reasonable that first presumed. A new dam could cost as much as $100,000 so it behooves everyone to make sure an accurate assessment is generated.
Given such costs, the Drain Commission recently implemented a policy to create fund balances for major capital expenses for lake level control structures funded by a slightly higher tax levy than expenses. However, the fund balance for USL SAD is not adequate to fund the assessment study, any recommended repairs or for sure a new dam. The Drain Commission also has the means to finance any costs as well which would be reflected in SAD tax levy.
One other point made by the Drain Commission is that the lake level indicator on the dam has been checked and is accurate.
The Drain Commission agreed to keep the City and Upper Straits Lake Association informed as progress is made.
Dave Boerger
Mayor, Orchard Lake &
Upper Straits resident
248-875-7120
