City Begins Repair Work on Thread Lake Dam

FLINT, Mich. — Mayor Karen Weaver, and the City’s Director of Public Works, Rob Bincsik, are pleased to announce that Flint City Council has approved a contract with Fisher Contracting Co. to begin work to repair the dam in Thread Lake.

A breach of the dam occurred in late February of this year, due to flooding brought on by the combination of melting snow and heavy rain. The dam failed and the gates were in need of repair. Since then, the dam has been assessed by dam inspectors with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), along with structural engineers, who have consulted with City officials to help determine a solution regarding repairs.

“This dam has been in need of repair for decades, but for some reason the work was put off,” said Rob Bincsik. “Since the latest incident in February, we have been working diligently to come up with a plan of action to fix the problem. Once we knew what needed to be done, and how much it would cost, we got things in motion. Now that Council has given the contract the green light, the contractor will begin work on the dam next week.”

Flint City crews started work this week, getting the site ready by repairing the earthen embankment on the west side of the dam. Next week, workers with Fisher Contracting Co. will begin fixing the dam, ultimately installing brand new gates.

“If everything goes according to plan, the repairs should be complete in a month or so,” said Bincsik. “I know residents have been wondering what the status of the situation is at the dam. Well, we have been working hard to get everything in place, and now it is. Now they will be able to see the progress. Then, we just have to wait on Mother Nature to bring the rain.”