Sanford Dam restoration marks milestone as concrete work begins

A critical restoration milestone has been reached at the Sanford Dam in Midland County, Michigan, as crews begin placing roller-compacted concrete (RCC) on the embankment for the auxiliary spillway. The work marks a transition from earthworks to structural construction in the multi-year rebuild of the dam, one of four dams damaged during the 2020 flood event.

The project is being managed by the Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF), which oversees reconstruction of Sanford, Edenville, Secord, and Smallwood dams. The RCC placement is intended to form a durable shell layer that will support subsequent embankment stabilization and spillway function. 

The Sanford Dam is now expected to reach substantial completion by December 2025, ahead of its previously scheduled spring 2026 target. Once the structure is deemed sufficiently stable, refilling of Sanford Lake could begin in 2026.

While the Sanford structural work advances, other dams in the system continue in varying stages of rebuild. The FLTF has prioritized sequential scheduling to balance funding, permitting, and environmental requirements.

Local observers and residents have expressed cautious optimism. Sanford village and surrounding areas were heavily impacted by the 2020 dam failures: over 2,500 structures were damaged, thousands of residents were evacuated, and four lakes were temporarily drained. The rebuild is widely viewed not just as infrastructure repair but restoration of livable waterfront communities.

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