Lake Levels

Great Bear Lake Level Structure, Columbia Twp

     Great Bear Lake Level Structure, Columbia Township

The Drain Commissioner is responsible for fifteen lake levels throughout Van Buren County. Each lake level and assessment district is established through Inland Lake Levels, Part 307 of Public Act 451 of 1994. Additionally, the Dam Safety Act, Part 315 of Public Act 451 of 1994 requires that the Drain Commissioner maintains all lake levels and structures. Each lake level structure must be inspected on a tri-annual basis and reported to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The tri-annual dam inspections were completed and submitted to the MDEQ in December of 2017.


  1. Part 307 - Lake Levels (PDF)
  2. Lake Level Control Structures - Location
  3. Part 301 - Inland Lakes and Streams (PDF)
  4. Part 315 - Dam Safety Act (PDF)
  5. Procedures for Stabilizing Inland Lake Levels (PDF)
  6. Lakescaping for Water Quality (PDF)
  7. Your Lake and You (PDF)
  8. The Death of a Lake (PDF)