On February 7, 2025, the restoration project was deemed substantially complete. During the week of February 10, portions of the siphon system will be removed and the dewatering system upstream of the spillway will be modified to allow water to enter. At that point, it is up to Mother Nature to raise the lake to the winter drawdown elevation. We expect that to occur in the next couple of weeks.
Per the lake level order and permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Forest Lake can rise to its legal summer level on April 15, depending on the ice conditions.
In May of 2020, the lake was lowered due to the spillway failure. The return of the lake in the summer of 2025 will be a celebrated milestone for the community.