North Manistique Lake
North Manistique (Round) Lake is a nearly 1,720 acre natural lake fed by several springs and a small inlet. It's only outlet, Helmer Creek, contains a dam which maintains the lake level. Helmer Creek flows south into Big Manistique Lake.
Big Manistique Lake
Big Manistique Lake has a surface area greater than 10,000 acres, stretching into Luce and Mackinac Counties. Portage Creek and Helmer Creek feed into the lake. The lake drains into the Manistique River where the Manistique Lake Dam is located.
Manistique Lakes
Lake Level Project
The Process
This is the process we will follow to establish lake level special assessment districts and update lake level orders in circuit court.
Public Meeting
A public meeting will educate community members about the process of establishing a lake level special assessment district and why it is necessary.
Recommend a Lake Level Special Assessment District
With input from county equalization and township assessors, consultantswill propose tentative special assessment district boundaries around North Manistique Lake and Big Manistique Lake based on parcels that benefit from the lake levels.
Update Lake Level Orders in Circuit Court
Suggested changes to the orders: ensure the legal levels in the orders match the physical levels of the lakes, update survey datum, add variation language, and confirm special assessment district boundaries.
Big Manistique Lake will have a proposed legal winter level.
Implement Lake Level Special Assessment
To recoup the costs of this work, the counties will implement lake level special assessment.