Dam History

Back in 1938 an overflow dam was constructed across Mission Creek, just below the outlet from Mission Lake. The dam was concrete and had a crest height elevation of 1179.84 feet. It would probably be a safe assumption that the dam was built to maintain the level of the lakes. About three feet above the crest was a concrete walkway that

bridged the two sides of the dam. Back then, the walkway was supported by three piers. In 1948, for reasons unknown, two of the piers were removed, leaving only the center pier. The dam had metal brackets on either side and on the middle pier that allowed for the placement of heavy wooden planks across the opening to further block the flow of

water over the dam and raise the overflow level. This is only a guess, but the planks were possibly used to raise the water level in order to aid in the pumping of water into the nearby rearing pond. The brackets also gave some lakeshore residents who thought their water level was too low the opportunity to put the planks in and raise the level.

Unfortunately, the perfect water level for some was much too high for others, so these ‘other’ property owners would remove the planks.

Sometimes this on-off process took place many times each year. This activity frequently caused frustration for lakeshore property owners and especially DNR personnel who often had their own reason for raising or lowering the lake level. Finally, after several years of this, the DNR decided it wasn’t worth all the dam work and in 1987 they cut the dam brackets off to resolve the dam problem. It is the goal of the Lake Association to have continued healthy flow over the dam and through Mission Creek in order to facilitate the flushing of phosphorus rich water out of the lake and reduce the chance of flooding of low lying properties.

Over the years we have seen periods of very high or very low water levels in our lakes. This is caused by rain, sun, high humidity, low humidity, calm, wind, springs ice and snow cover, Wildlife Management Area pumping (to a very small extent), Beaver dams in the creek and the overgrowth of hybrid cattails in the Creek. The only thing we have direct control over is the Beavers.