LAKE FENTON WATER LEVELS

​By Jim Root, President LFPOA

​I have had several riparian’s contact me concerned about the low water level of Lake Fenton. The water level has been discussed at every meeting for the last year, but for different reasons. In the summer of 2021, we had a high water level. This was due to beaver dams in the drainage watercourse, which is part of the drainage system for the entire lake. ​

This past spring, beaver dams were removed, thus allowing the lake to return to a normal level.
 
Now in the fall of 2022, the water level has again dropped below normal. This has happened many times in the past. Board members who are long-term lake residents recall moving their hoists out into deeper water in the fall to get their boats on and off their hoists. Others tell stories of a beach surrounding Case’s Island. While low water levels are rare, they are not uncommon.
 
The lake level was nine inches below the official 873 foot limit in October. The LFPOA board feels this low water level is normal.

HOW ARE LAKE LEVELS MAINTAINED?

​Lake Fenton is fed by underground springs and the drainage basin. We have a rather small drainage basin which is primarily the runoff from the lake shoreline.
 
Lake Fenton’s drainage system consists of two weirs (mini dams), which are set at a court-ordered level of 873 feet above sea level. When the water is above 873 feet, the water leaves the lake over top of the weirs, runs through mostly wetlands, and eventually drains into Lake Ponemah and the Shiawassee River.

Note that as of 2024, the governor signed a law that court-ordered exact lake levels like ours cannot be enforced. The law modifies the definition of the “normal level” of an inland lake, allowing the level to vary due to weather, natural events, or construction activities. The bill also updates the financing options available to an authority in order to maintain a normal lake level. 

The weirs were installed in the mid 60’s. This was also the same time the water level was court ordered on Lake Fenton. It may have been court ordered because of low water levels! Before the weirs were installed the water would drop much lower. I have seen pictures of docks that were moved out fifty feet to allow boat mooring. So it appears that the weirs have done a good job of maintaining our lake level.
 
Some lake associations lower their lake level in the fall to reduce seawall damage and allow for beach cleaning. So low water levels in the fall has some benefits!
 
We are optimistic that the water level will return to normal in the spring when snow run off and April showers refill the lake as they have for years.