Chappel Dam

The Chappel Dam is located on the Cedar River in Gladwin County. It is a retired hydroelectric dam constructed approximately 100 years ago. The dam is 38 feet tall and consists of a 900-foot-long earth embankment, 100-foot-long fixed-crest spillway, a large tainter gate, and a powerhouse. Over the past 30 years, dam inspections have indicated substantial problems with the dam including the need for metal repairs to the tainter gate, a  new hoist for the gate, leaking stop logs, deteriorating concrete, and significant seepage of the earth embankment. In addition, portions of the structure have been reconstructed several times.

 The Gladwin County Drain Commissioner asked Spicer Group to assist in the determination of what is more economical to complete—continue making repairs or construct a new outlet control structure. Upon completing a feasibility study and holding public meetings, it was determined to continue to make repairs and extend the current dam’s design life. A phased approach was designed to make repairs to the dam. Rip rap was installed along the earthen embankment to reduce wave erosion.

These task items included reconstructing the northern retaining wall, making the earth embankment wider and installing a stone drainage blanket, metal repairs to the tainter gate, pouring new concrete walls in the powerhouse to install new sluice gates, and making structural repairs to the main columns of the 60-foot-tall powerhouse. The sluice gates adjust automatically depending on the lake level. The information on the sluice gates can be accessed remotely via the Internet.