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June 30, 2026
This summer, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will rehabilitate the South Unit at Houghton Lakes Flats, a popular spot for wildlife viewing and fishing just off U.S. 127 in Roscommon County.
Once completed, the rehabilitated South Unit dike system will allow the DNR to control water levels in the 350-acre wetland and improve wildlife habitat.
The South Unit dike system was built in the 1960s to mitigate the environmental impact of building U.S. 127. Houghton Lake Flats is sourced by nearby Houghton Lake, the largest inland lake in Michigan.
“The current dike system, which includes several miles of dikes and a dam, provides impounded water for many species of wildlife,” said Mark Boersen, a DNR wildlife biologist based in Roscommon. “However, several years ago the water pump failed, taking away the DNR’s ability to manipulate water levels to improve the wildlife habitat. Additionally, time has taken a toll on the South Unit dam so that it can no longer safely and efficiently hold water.”
Crews will replace the South Unit’s concrete dam, pumphouse, underground pipes and related structures with modern equipment. Construction is expected to begin this summer, once high-water levels drop to an appropriate level, and be completed in the fall.
Public access to the South Unit gazebo and fishing platform will be closed during the project. However, the North Unit of the flats — a 335-acre wetland north of County Road 300 — will remain open during construction.
Boersen said Houghton Lake Flats is a popular location for waterfowl hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing.
“Several secretive and sometimes rare species of wildlife are observed at the flats, such as trumpeter swans, black terns, osprey and the American bittern,” he said. “Although the fishing dock will be closed during construction, visitors are welcome to fish and bird-watch from the dikes or from hand-launched boats.”
The Houghton Lakes Flat project is part of the DNR’s broader strategy to address Michigan’s aging dams and dike systems.
Note to editors: Accompanying DNR photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.
Contact: Mark Boersen, 989-275-5151, ext. 2722730
Boaters in northern Michigan, get ready: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced Friday that the Cheboygan Lock has officially reopened.
America's 250th birthday is right around the corner! If your plans include outdoor time up north, at home or somewhere in between, here are a few ideas from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to keep your celebrations safe, sound and relaxation-ready.
If you’re looking for a volunteer opportunity to help young people experience outdoor recreation – helping instill in them a sense of Michigan’s rich natural resources heritage and traditions – then the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is looking for you.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced it will reduce in-person customer service operations at its Sault Ste. Marie Customer Service Center. Beginning Wednesday, July 1, the office will move from offering public walk-in hours five days a week (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
If you were out on the water last year, you might have noticed something interesting: crews with nets and measuring boards, catching and documenting fish. In 2025, Michigan Department of Natural Resources fisheries management units completed more than 350 fisheries surveys across the state. Staff completed 225 surveys of inland lakes and 127 surveys of streams.
The Porcupine Mountains Music Festival, presented by the Friends of the Porkies will celebrate its 20th production August 28-29, 2026, at the Winter Sports Complex (ski hill) of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.
From tree cavities and trunks to bridges and barns, bats are settling into a variety of summer roosts across Michigan. Just as they did last year, residents can help scientists better understand where these important mammals are living, by sharing information about the bat activity they see around their homes and communities.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is pursuing removal of Big Creek Dam (Crawford County), a 62-year-old dam with significant structural issues. To that end, the DNR recently awarded a $75,000 grant to Michigan Trout Unlimited for a study of engineering, design and construction costs that will inform the removal process for the dam
