State documents relating to June 2008 discharge from dam at Song of the Morning Ranch on the Pigeon River

 

In June, 2008, the dam at Song of the Morning Ranch on the Pigeon River discharged a large volume of water and sediment into the river, draining the impoundment. The dam's gates were then closed, cutting off all downstream flow while the impoundment was filled.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality subsequently conducted an investigation into the cause of this event and it's effect on the river and its ecosystem. The state also filed a civil complaint against Golden Lotus, Inc. owners of Song of the Morning Ranch and operator of the dam. The state's complaint and copies of the reports prepared by the DNR and the DEQ are linked below, as well as the statement the President of the PRCA made to the Natural Resources Commission August 14, 2008..

 

Civil complaint by State of Michigan (pdf)

DNR assessment

Temperature increase

Flow variation

Fish kill

Clinical report

President's statement to the Natural Resources Commission