(STURGIS) - The City of Sturgis has provided an update on the drawdown at the Hydroelectric Dam north of Centreville
City Manager Andrew Kuk says the City Electric Department has received a formal extension of time for the drawdown. The drawdown of the reservoir area of the river upstream of the dam must now be completed by September 15th, 2026. Previously the drawdown was to begin July 6th and be completed by July 15th.
This drawdown is in response to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) recent evaluation of conditions of the left embankment of the dam. Conditions related to the left embankment of the dam have been noted and monitored for several years as part of the City's ongoing dam safety reporting through the FERC, but as of May 5, the FERC requested the draw down as an Interim Reduce Risk Measure.
The drawdown required is three feet and is expected to impact the river by lowering water levels in an area from the dam approximately 5 miles upstream just east of Mendon.
Following the request for extension, FERC completed another inspection and determined that based on that review and some continued and additional monitoring measures an extension could be granted. Based on this extension, the City plans to begin the drawdown on September 8th in order to complete the process by September 15th.
If anyone has any questions regarding the drawdown, please contact Chris McArthur, Electric Department Superintendent at 269-659-7289.