Smallwood Dam Overview and Introduction

In this update we take a look at Smallwood Dam. Smallwood dam is just south of the Secord dam on the Tittabawassee River. This footage was filmed on July 30, 2020. There was much flooding that occurred around the dam at the same time that the Edenville Dam collapsed on May 19, 2020. Wixom Lake was rapidly rising due to heavy rainfall and the Edenville dam could not hold back the water. The side of the dam failed sending water rushing towards Sanford Village. The aftermath and damage left behind is devastating. Make sure you subscribe to catch the follow up videos I will be filming.
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Filmed By: Jordan Mowbray
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[@robnamowicz8073]

Good Luck collaborating with Juan Brown. He is the smartest guy in reportage. Well, it seems like it, love his stuff. Thanks Jordan!

[@jesusisGod1434]

I love Juan Brown! I look forward to his input as well.

[@jmlewis435]

Another great video, Jordan!

[@aidenmckenna6519]

Water is supposed to shoot out the side like that, so if it overflows the brick doesn’t collapse

[@tannerrobinson5110]

It seems clear that the overflow spillway worked as designed (for the most part) on this dam. The extension of the "Cofferdam" or Seawall is there to help prevent water from eroding the dam from the backside. This is there to allow for a gradual release of water (IE Potential Energy) from above the dam, and it helps prevent catastrophic failure (as seen at the Edenville Dam). The Sanford Dam did have an emergency spillway, however as water levels continued to rise down-river of that dam, the structural integrity of the dam beneath this spillway was significantly compromised. It's not that the spillway needs to be concrete (which is often less effective and has a maximum flow rate) but rather redesigned (or added in the first place.... Yes Edenville, I'm looking at you). Slow deteriorating spillways are more expensive than concrete, especially if there are floods fairly-regularly. They have to be repaired (as seen in this video) which costs money. Concrete requires less maintenance, but have limits on flow and often fail when needed the most. Another big thing is where that water can go after it goes over an emergency spillway. In Sanford, old US-10 (W Saginaw Rd) severely restricted where the water could go. In a sense, it was another dam that the flood waters had to overcome (which it did). With the water being forced to flood over the road, there was a large, although moving, body of water below the dam that slowly weakened the dam. Most modern Dams are designed to fail. That is, they are designed so that if there is a failure, water can quickly move away from the dam downstream. Potential ecological impact studies are required before any permits can be filed. Especially in places such as Sanford, studies of the terrain below the dam have to be accounted for as well. In modern day america, the Location of the Sanford would not have even been considered as a possible sight due to the terrain and limited space for water to flow. It might take some eminent-domain of a handful of properties at Edenville and Sanford to rebuild the dams. I'm sure there will be push-back from locals and politicians alike, but unless the necessary changes needed to ensure that a catastrophic failure like this doesnt happen again, there will have to be some major changes to the areas around and below the dams. To sum that all up, lets just say that Water is a tough mistress...

[@Gizmo42Rodeo]

Most earth dams are designed to fail. The emergency spill is was just as it says, for emergencies and not meant for much water to actually flow over them. They are basically a slow blow fuse giving some time for those down stream to evacuate before it fully fails. Unfortunately that part is usually forgotten and they wait for it to start failing before they call for an evacuation.

[@firesign58]

Indeed. Your last sentence says it all

[@3959tasha]

Thank You❗ Jordan, our channel 7 ABC Had covered some stories about the flooding and the dam problem. I think you covered more of the problem and the disaster, than what the news here did. They did mention a Bankruptcy and Fema. So hopefully something will be getting started for the folks that have nothing and lost everything. TY ❗Jordan..

[@nashguy207]

The way I see it there are 4 dams that need rebuilding am I correct in my thinking. If so since boyce has filed bankruptcy what are the options for smallwood dam and secord dam ? Jordan keep up the up dates they are great you are the only source I have for news and updates on this.

[@kirbyjohnson5487]

Another great video by Jordan! Thank you. You're do great with your new camera also. Take care. Can you do a video on the m -30 bridge that crosses the lake. How are they coming with that bridge?

[@green-gables]

He posted a video already of repairs at M30 & at Curtis combined into one.

[@JordanMowbray]

Yes I will show this in the tobacco river dam update.

[@tucobenedicto109]

Ithink that dam worked properly. Please do give us infor from JB. Nice reporting.

[@russell7489]

FYI This isn't infrastructure, it's private dam, well was, until FERC Fed inspectors insisted it be maintained, don't know if owner walked away then or got state to take them on... No different than a factory owner letting one of their plants collapse on workers from neglect.

[@flatcat3254]

Should just remove all the dams

[@jeffreychilman3018]

you tell em flat cat

[@glenncheatham1320]

Wow! Thanks for coming this. Small towns are never a priority for “elected officials”. We are all, basically, on our own.

[@mr.manfredjensenjen7294]

I was just thinking to myself how Juan Brown could give you some talking point . His overage of the Oroville dam was great. Very knowledgeable person. Thanks for the update..

[@vincew.2824]

That's what brought me to Jordan's channel. It's the same man on the streets type reporting, non bias and matter of fact.

[@Gizmo42Rodeo]

I mentioned Jordans channel in the comments of Juans video about the dam failures after Jordan did a few updates.

[@3sons66]

@@Gizmo42Rodeo I searched "Juan Brown" and can't find him. Can you paste a link? Thanks.

[@Gizmo42Rodeo]

@@3sons66 his channel is called blancolirio.

[@3sons66]

@@Gizmo42Rodeo Thank you.

[@imchris5000]

that deck falling in the hole is probably what saved the dam the wood was deflecting a bunch of the energy in the water keeping it from just digging away

[@captainsinclair7954]

I think Smallwood’s sea wall prevented a catastrophic collapse because if it wasn’t there, I think the ground right next to the sluice gates would be gone.

[@russell7489]

Great Video Love to know why this dam was maintained and upgraded and others were not Because it was smallest cheapest Being smaller cheaper owner used work on it to stall work on others ie can only do one at a time or see I'm trying , or maybe the owner got public funds to fix that dam and couldn't get gov't to give them more. Be interesting to know. Though i understand at some point the owner told FERC to take a hike and leave them alone Might have been when FERC asked ok, when you going to do the other 3? and for some reason I"m sure 'contributions' or well connected locals who wanted water levels up so their property values stayed up the state agreed to take over 'inspection' under for some reason much less stringent rules like the state knows more about dams than FERC who handle everything from mill ponds to Hoover Dam. The seawall is typical of remedial work done to levees that either are too permeable, unstable or low, three things we know these dams are, they are vibrated and pounded in dozens of feet below grade and interlock. Concrete often poured to encase steel in the zone between low and high waters to retard failure from corrosion. Notice that despite all the work done, back water erosion was threatening the dam anyway, meaning more sheet piles, rock or concrete armoring needed along entire downstream face that even MIGHT be subject to backwater flooding. The emergency spillway was working wonderfully, but I just don't buy slow burn fuse spillways. Works for coffer dams that are temporary. Permanent dams need permanent preferable maint free solutions and the only one is a MASSIVE concreted or stone spillway that will take an epic 100 yr flood without any degregation and then fail slowly under heavier flooding Isn't it insane to expect REPEATED MEGA REPAIRS for what 50, 100, 200 yrs a dam can last. Sooner or later it'll be cheaped out and this happens. The dam can't be refilled until 1. the top of the spillway is surveyed to see if it dropped from erosion, hard to imagine it didn't 2. cores are taken to see if weight and flow of water destabilized spillway flood plain or dam 3. Remedial work performed (looks like lots of repairs for visually obvious issues done 4. UPGRADING is performed as this dam nearly failed, and had it, the disaster down stream would have been much worse. ie armoring entire dam and spillway so it can be relied on for frequent use with no degregation, more sheet piles, and really more operable flood gates are needed so the emergency spillway is never called on. At a guess, 2 x as much min, which means 4 x much to be safe. In otherwords, until someone comes up with 10, 20, or 50 million or so. Until then homeowners wanting water frontage should petition state to fund dredging of dams, which yeah owner should do but sure as crap ain't, as this like the others probably has 50% plus of it's volume filled with dirt. Dirt could be sold as clean fill. Dirt could be placed in front of homeowners property compacted seeded giving homeowners more land for free, and reducing dredged area and bringing edge of homeowners land closer to dredged lake front. Just an idea.

[@green-gables]

The Four Lakes Task Force has posted early estimates and design plans for the 4 dams non their websites. There are video recordings here also on meetings with Lake Associations in which plans are discussed. Estimates only. Studies have to be completed and submitted including the forensic study before firm estimates. Plans are discussed also for expected sources of funding.

[@PaulTheGreat00]

Hope we get a lot more news on Smallwood Dam

[@peterfordf250]

It looks like there was a lot more engineering and more up to date engineering to prevent dam breaking here at Smallwood.

[@davidfariello580]

Jordan, excellent as always. I so appreciate your hard work and for getting this story out there. Have never missed one report. You truly deserve an award for this.

[@gypsydrumhorse]

Doesn't look bad with lower water, not at all, they have plenty and it's still nice

[@gypsydrumhorse]

@bob dole I have a big crater dug through my land by an official that should be in jail. More than 1/2 my property is inaccessible to me. No one cared when it happened to us. No one wants to help restore what he did to us. This thing at the dams is nature taking her course, man came in a built 4 dams within close proximity of themselves, it was a disaster waiting to happen. The dams created tax revenue for years as well as the lake associations. No money was put back into honestly up keeping this waterway and ensuring it was safe. Secord levy is saturated and oozing and they want to bandaid the dam for it's inefficiencies and fill it up. What I am saying is, there are other people that have had their lives and dreams screwed up around here and because we aren't rich, we don't have attorney's out there, hopeful producers and the media on our side. One person's dream is just as valuable as another's. It's sad what happened on the Tittabawassee and all the lives it affected all the way to Lake Huron. It hurts to have shattered dreams. However, those crying loadest just lost waterfront, that's a drop in the bucket to the lives that don't have the enjoyment of a waterfront and lost all they had. I feel the rivers should be restored. I know it hurts those on the water most but it isn't everyone. That project needs tax dollars just as well as other things that have happened that hurt people's lives should also have tax dollars and community support.

[@chrisskinner6483]

How did you get the sound with the drone video? Cached file on the phone side?

[@JordanMowbray]

Yes add it in while editing the video

[@timarcher7933]

Looks to me that this dam over spill is the area that it over spilled. Its followed the design to protect the concrete dam structure .Sea Wall is interlocking piling which protects the concrete hydro facility of the dam.Also stops water seeping under the berm wall and eroding the wall. By the gate on the road way by the end of the sea wall black overlay plastic is visible which will provide added protection to possibly the rolled compacted sand and a substrate for the grass which is another form of protection to the berms. When i first saw the video of the water spraying from the hydro faclity boy i though they had issues .May be the reason why the hydro facility is not operating yet ? This is in better condition than the lower dams. Some spalling to concrete exposing steel reinforcement with erosion of concrete around the hydro facility in water divide wall. I am not professional .General maintence ? Like i said before Jordan you are making a historical document with these video,s as well as a legal one.

[@sue8319]

I admire your equipment and your skill. Be careful......

[@momon1828]

your video goes right with pink Floyd album the wall

[@SSArt98]

That dam looks as if its got a 'Secant' wall, Juan should be able to confirm. _Made my day when I heard you're going hook up with Juan!_ He's very knowledgable on many subjects, especially the Oroville disaster! Make sure to share that interview if possible Jordan. _Thanks for your hard work!_ *James*

[@JordanMowbray]

Will do

[@tompinnef6331]

Looks like a pretty well built dam. A bit more reinforcement in some area's needed. Overall stronger then the others where imho. The overflow wasn't the best. Needs a concrete overflow setup.

[@aricgoetz910]

The sign that said thin ice was telling the truth, ice is probably really thin around there this time of year lop

[@scottmurdoch360]

This dam did a lot of damage to homes just south on radov drive mind was one of them with 7 feet of water on the main floor

[@PatriciaSanchez-ds3wd]

We was waiting for the "right side video" that never came..........

[@BowensBlvd]

12:28

[@josephm6255]

Hey Jordan - keep up the good work. Questions - why is the Smallwood dam empty now? Is it a safety issue, or is the flow that low normally? And if they don't fix or rebuild all of these dams, will there be seasonal flooding? Thanks! Joe

[@JordanMowbray]

FERC has lowered it lowered until repairs are made

[@kmricksgal]

What was the 4 dams affected in the flooding

[@mikedemo6841]

just watch youself and be safe

[@jrrigdon5181]

So this dam really didn’t fail because of the steel wall, but because of so much water it found a better way around the dam. Wish they would of took care of the other dams like they did this one before this accident happen.

[@green-gables]

I hope you have your drones protected from eagles. A drone was downed by one near Escanaba, MI, and believed forever lost in Lake Michigan.

[@JordanMowbray]

I saw that. very interesting

[@volkhen0]

Looks like this sea wall was added after the dam was built. Anyway I’m sure if it wasn’t there the dam would fail.

[@Hanzyscure]

Sheet piling installed in 2000. To meet FERC standards.

[@Hanzyscure]

Dam was built 1924.

[@firemedic2572]

Blanco Lirio! Juan is great, learned so much from him on his Oroville coverage!

[@tomtheplummer7322]

Lily White...

[@tfoley455]

indeed he is

[@sharonharshman5775]

Jordan, thanks again for a very informative video. Puts in perspective how the four dams work together. Your ending footage reminds me how much I liked Mi in the summer, just hated the winters. Next visit I hope to visit the areas you have covered. Drove thru Stanford several times on my last visit and it is hard to imagine the devastation that took place. Keep up the good reporting.

[@BowensBlvd]

Sanford *

[@jodyrewa688]

Cool drone shot at 10:00! 😎

[@gypsydrumhorse]

seems the dam would break before that seawall. doesn;t seem right that the dam would break first

[@AimingWanderously]

Can anyone clear something up for me... if Smallwood dam held up, why is Smallwood lake drained so badly, couldn't they keep it at its previous level regardless of what happened downstream?

[@Hanzyscure]

It didn't hold up. FERC wanted water levels lowered for inspection.

[@JordanMowbray]

FERC has lowered it lowered until repairs are made

[@dietergoldschmitt9651]

Juan Brown is like the dam guru. He did a series over 2 years on the reconstruction of the Oroville dam project in California. Pretty wild stuff to watch. Your talk with him should be interesting to say the least. He's a very intelligent guy and I think he understands the principles and problems with dams better than the people would build them. Keep up with this series and I'm glad to see that some work is finally being done to the m30 bridge .

[@markodeen4105]

I'm glad you are going to be talking to Juan Browm, I started following his channel when he was covering the Orville Dam disaster, It should be a very interesting discussion. I look forward to it!

[@firesign58]

So glad you’re in touch with Juan Browne. Been following him for many years now He became an overnight global sensation with his coverage of the Oroville dam catastrophe in California. He’s a great guy and I bet the two of you get along famously.

[@francinehibiscus350]

The damages from the overflow are apparent, but nothing like further downriver. Scary stuff!

[@BogWraith1]

I have subscribed to Juan Brown's Blancolirio channel for awhile now as I am a lover of aviation, but he also does cover stories on dams, so I'm very excited to hear that he'll be on your channel Jordan, he's a class act and a good guy!

[@nicolasroque163]

U know your doing a gd job on the flooding for all those who lost keep doing wat your doing the news cares wen its major n people die then its in the paper its a shame thou i dont understand this n the guy who didnt fix the dam before y dont the goverment there take it frim him n lock him up

[@kennethruss223]

Jordan, I love the videos. I've been following your channel ever since this disaster occurred. However, I forgot to subscribe to your channel. I finally did today, haha.

[@JordanMowbray]

Thank you!

[@MrDaniell1234]

You can see why this one did not fail.

[@agentx7138]

Power pole in the emergency spillway is that really the best route for the powerlines. 12:28 I see a gate with what looks to be a manually inserted floodgate wouldn't a ramp be a better option not being reliant on workers to go and install during a dangerous time for being on a dam. 12:07 The powerhouse entrance and both sides could be improved to prevent flood events allowing water to flow in undesirable directions like through and around the powerhouse and gate structures. 5:11

[@green-gables]

Agent X There's currently no plan to restore hydro power production on any of the 4 dams. The cost is prohibitive and the power generated would not return enough income. Early projection for restoring the 4 dams is $390-mil without restoring hydro power. There are also much cheaper ways today of generating power. The Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF) has been contracted by Gladwin and Midland counties to take over dam mgmt. FLFT holds regular Zoom meetings with each of the Lake Associations, these are recorded. You can watch them them there, and Jordan has recorded and posted some on You Tube. Many questions about proposed plans for dam restoration are answered at these sessions. You can attend a Zoom session, and the FLTF site will tell you how.

[@outandaboutwithdon656]

Did the Sanford dam fail because the Edenville dam failed and released all that water ?

[@gusfusses44]

yes. I believe so

[@dknowles60]

yes

[@green-gables]

A forensic report will soon be in the making.