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Recreational Safety and Hunter Education
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To address dam deficiencies, the DNR, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, is moving forward with a phased plan to lower the water level of Hall Lake. Located in Yankee Springs Recreation Area in Barry County, this project is a planned safety initiative designed to increase safety while protecting outdoor recreation. Funding was secured through an EGLE Dam Risk Reduction Grant.
The project calls for an initial drawdown of 3 feet this fall and another 3 feet in 2026.
Fall drawdown and boating accessAs part of the EGLE emergency drawdown order, a phased plan to lower Hall Lake's elevation began after Labor Day. The boating access site will be closed during this period, and its reopening will be reevaluated after the drawdown is complete.
A separate, additional drawdown is planned for 2026. That one will be to move the lake to its new level and replace the culvert under Gun Lake Road.
Background
Following a routine spring inspection and subsequent engineering analysis, EGLE issued an emergency drawdown order due to the poor condiation of the dam with a recognized deficiency for loading conditions. Hall Lake Dam is classified as a "significant hazard" dam which indicates that a dam failure could cause economic and environmental damage or disrupt essential downstream services, such as Gun Lake Road, though a loss of life is unlikely.
Discussing a possible drawdown of Hall Lake Dam with the public was an integral part of considering the dam’s future, including feedback via a March 12, 2025 public information session and online survey in March 2024. Thank you to everyone that provided valuable input.
Lexington State Harbor will undergo four major maintenance and enhancement projects managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the DNR in 2026 and 2027. These projects will require a series of closures that will impact slip reservations, fuel sales, pump-outs and the adjacent boating access site.
These harbor projects are in addition to the Tierney Park upgrades being performed by the Village of Lexington. Any updates to the harbor construction timelines will be posted here, including dates when slip reservations will become available.
| Project type | Project dates | Project information | Harbor | Boating access site | Fuel dock | Sanitary pump-outs |
| Dredging | Spring 2026 Harbor, fuel dock, sanitary pump-outs impacted |
A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project includes essential dredging of the federal navigation channel. The work will prevent access to the harbor, requiring a full closure, including the fuel dock and sanitary pump-outs. The boating access site will be closed due to construction staging and visitor safety. |
Entire harbor closed through June 30, 2026 | To be determined | Closed through June 30, 2026 | Unavailable through June 30, 2026 |
| Break wall repairs | Summer 2026 Northern section slips, boating access site impacted |
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will perform necessary repair work on the break wall surrounding the harbor. Slips in the northern section will be unavailable. There may be times when noise levels may impact boaters staying in the harbor. The fuel dock will be closed. The boating access site will be closed due to construction staging and visitor safety. |
Slips #11-29, 40-57, 78-86, 89-92 and 95-99 closed July 1, 2026 - Sept. 8, 2026 |
Closed June 30, 2026 -May 28, 2027 | Not impacted | Not impacted |
| Harbor redevelopment | Fall 2026 Harbor; fuel dock, sanitary pump-outs impacted |
The DNR will begin replacing all in-water structures within the harbor. The work will require a full closure, including fuel dock and sanitary pump-outs. |
Entire harbor closed Sept. 8, 2026 - May 28, 2027 | Closed June 30, 2026- May 28, 2027 | Closed Sept. 8, 2026 - May 28, 2027 | Unavailable Sept. 8, 2026 - May 28, 2027 |
| Shoal removal |
Summer 2027 |
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will dredge the shoaling inside the break wall surrounding the harbor. |
To be announced | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced |
Visitors to Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park can soon look forward to significant improvements funded by an $8.5 million federal relief investment from Gov. Whitmer's Building Michigan Together Plan. These enhancements will modernize the park’s facilities, enhance visitor access and traffic flow and improve accessibility
This extensive project, largely shaped by feedback from the 2021 general management planning process and detailed in the Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park General Management Plan, builds upon a 2011 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant that enabled the acquisition of property to improve park circulation.
Campground enhancements underway
The modern campground closed July 7, 2025, and will remain closed through the entire 2026 season. It is scheduled to reopen on April 1, 2027.
The Lake Michigan beach day-use area will mostly remain open, but visitors should be prepared for occasional closures during intersection work.
MDOT work begins spring 2026
The Michigan Department of Transportation will begin a $1.6 million enhancement project in spring 2026. A new double left-turn lane will be added from U.S. 31 to Three Mile Road, and the existing traffic signal will be updated. The day-use beach entrance will be moved east to align with this signal, which will also be updated. An ADA-compliant pedestrian crossing will be installed at the intersection.
Pedestrian bridge update
The pedestrian bridge was removed in September 2025. The DNR is committed to working with the community to find a new location for the pedestrian bridge. Several things have to be accomplished before a new bridge compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility guidelines can be built. This includes identification and acquisition of appropriate land where the bridge can be located. Adequate funding for the project also must be identified, since such funding does not exist within the current DNR budget. The DNR is working toward those goals with state partners, the local community and state legislators, including Rep. Betsy Coffia, Rep. John Roth and Sen. John Damoose.
Contact
For more details on the project, contact Stephanie Rosinski, Traverse City and Leelanau state parks supervisor, at 231-922-5270 or RosinskiS@Michigan.gov.
