Letter: Dam Controversy Comes from State

To the Editor:

​As a resident of White Cloud with roots going back to the very beginning, I must comment on the situation with the White Cloud Dam. There is little division among residents when it comes to wanting an alternative to the dam’s removal and loss of the impoundment. A very small and elitist group think all dams are bad and seek their removal. They always refer to the warming of the water as the main problem. As a lifelong trout fisherman and student of history, I can tell you that the White River is a great fishery above and below the dam and always has been. It should be noted that this is also true on the Muskegon River and others with dams and impoundments. The controversy is with the state and always has been. In my position as Drain Commissioner, along with other statutory positions, I have found state government to often be rigid and unresponsive to any discussions of alternatives to work with local needs and wants. I understand the safety concerns presented by the engineers. That being said, I believe most, if not all of it, could be mitigated without spending the projected multimillions to replace the dam. For example, another spillway, a reduced water elevation, a seasonal drawdown, and an emergency drawdown plan. The state does not seem to want to consider any of these alternatives.
 
The other benefit is that it is a Sea Lamprey barrier. The state is now trying to say that Hesperia’s dam is a Sea Lamprey barrier and therefore White Cloud is no longer needed. That is disingenuous as Hesperia’s dam is often purged in high water events which allow passage. There is proof found in the fish caught in Robinson Lake with Sea Lamprey’s attached.
 
The City Manager has been diligent in her position, supporting the desire of the city to keep the dam in place. The level of stress and blame being thrown her way is unwarranted and could potentially result in the loss of the best City Manager White Cloud has ever had.
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  Dale Twing 
 White Cloud