Kim Sturgis | Gladwin County MI REALTOR®

If you’re looking at waterfront property around Wixom Lake or just curious about what’s happening with the lake right now, here’s the honest answer: Wixom Lake is still dealing with the aftermath of the 2020 Edenville Dam failure, and wixom lake water levels remain significantly lower than they were before the disaster.

The lake didn’t just drop a little. In May 2020, the dam failed and drained the connected canals in about 8.5 hours. It was a major event that changed the landscape around Gladwin County forever. If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or just understanding waterfront life in this area, you need to know what’s actually happening with the water levels right now.

Let me break down what you’re looking at in 2026 and what the future might hold.

What Happened to Wixom Lake Water Levels After the Dam Failure

The Edenville Dam failure on May 19, 2020, wasn’t a slow leak. The dam gave way, and thousands of gallons of water drained from the canals surrounding Wixom Lake in less than nine hours. Homes that had waterfront access suddenly didn’t. Docks sat on dry land. The entire character of the lake changed overnight.

What most people don’t realize is that the refilling process is incredibly slow. Kim Sturgis Top Gladwin MI Realtor | Brokered By RE/MAX River Haven has been working with clients affected by this event, and the timeline they’re dealing with is way longer than anyone initially expected.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) authorized a 13-foot water level reduction on the Tobacco River side of Wixom Lake. That’s intentional. Rather than rushing to refill the entire lake, state regulators are controlling the refilling process carefully by managing how water flows through the river system.

Current Wixom Lake Water Levels in 2026

As of mid-2025, Wixom Lake remains largely empty. We’re talking about a lake that’s been mostly drained for nearly six years at this point. The water you see now is a fraction of what it was before 2020.

If you drive past the lake or have property nearby, you’ll notice the dramatic difference. The exposed lake bottom, the stranded docks, the missing waterfront activity. It’s a stark reminder of how dependent the lake community was on normal water levels.

Current projections suggest the lake may not begin meaningful refilling until Spring 2028 at the earliest. That’s 7.5+ years after the initial failure. Some experts think it could take even longer depending on river conditions and how EGLE manages the dam operations.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) actively monitors water data at monitoring location USGS-434906084223006, so if you want to track the actual numbers yourself, that’s the official source.

Legal Water Level Standards for Wixom Lake

Here’s something important that most people skip over: Wixom Lake has established legal water level thresholds that EGLE enforces. These aren’t random numbers. They define what “normal” operations look like and what property owners are legally entitled to.

Before the dam failure, the lake operated at a specific authorized level. Now, with the controlled drawdown, that legal baseline has changed. If you own waterfront property or are thinking about buying some, understanding these legal thresholds matters for everything from dock placement to property valuations.

The Wixom Lake Association has been instrumental in managing the waterway, advocating for property owners, and pushing for information transparency. If you’re involved with the lake in any capacity, staying connected to that organization gives you real-time updates on water level changes and refilling timelines.

Why Refilling Takes So Long

You might be wondering why a lake can’t just refill itself. Fair question.

Here’s the reality: once you’ve removed that much water from a system, you can’t pump it back overnight. Refilling Wixom Lake requires slowing water flow through the Tobacco River system in a way that allows water levels to rise gradually without causing new problems upstream or downstream.

It’s controlled hydrology. Engineers have to manage dam operations to let water back in at a pace that doesn’t create flooding, water quality issues, or damage to surrounding infrastructure. Speed it up too much, and you risk new problems. Go too slow, and you’re dealing with a drained lake for years.

That’s why Spring 2028 is the current projection. That’s not a guess. That’s based on river flow data, precipitation patterns, and careful engineering calculations.

What This Means for Waterfront Property Buyers and Sellers

If you’re considering waterfront property around Wixom Lake right now, you’re entering an unusual market. Properties that had direct water access have lost that access. Homes with lake views now have views of exposed shoreline. Property values have shifted dramatically.

Some buyers see opportunity here. They’re betting that once the lake refills, they’ll own waterfront property at a discount. Others are waiting. And some waterfront property owners are dealing with the reality that their investment has changed in ways they never anticipated.

This is exactly the kind of local, complex market situation where working with Kim Sturgis Top Gladwin MI Realtor | Brokered By RE/MAX River Haven makes a real difference. You need someone who understands the history, knows the players involved, and can honestly assess what the future looks like for lakefront properties in this area.

Tracking Wixom Lake Water Levels Yourself

Want to monitor the situation on your own? Here are the actual resources.

• USGS Water Data: Check real-time water level data at the official USGS monitoring station. This gives you actual measurements, not speculation.
• EGLE Updates: Michigan’s environmental agency publishes information about dam operations and authorized water levels.
• Wixom Lake Association: Local organization providing community updates and advocacy. They’re a good resource for understanding what property owners are dealing with.

Historical water level records for the region go back to 1918, so if you want context for how dramatically different 2020-2026 has been, you can see it in the data.

Questions People Ask About Wixom Lake Water Levels

When will Wixom Lake be full again?

Current projections point to Spring 2028 as the earliest meaningful refilling could begin, but that’s not a guarantee. It depends on river flow, precipitation, and EGLE’s dam management decisions. Some experts think it could take longer.

Why did Michigan reduce the water level intentionally?

EGLE authorized a 13-foot reduction on the Tobacco River side as a controlled approach to managing the dam failure’s aftermath. Rather than letting water rise uncontrollably, they’re managing the process to prevent new problems. It’s slower, but it’s safer.

Can I still use my dock on Wixom Lake?

Most docks are sitting on dry land right now. Once refilling begins in 2028, docks will become usable again, but that’s still years away. If you own waterfront property, check with the Wixom Lake Association about current regulations.

Has my waterfront property lost value permanently?

No. Once the lake refills, waterfront properties should recover value. That said, buying or selling waterfront property right now is a bet on that refilling timeline. Talk to Kim Sturgis Top Gladwin MI Realtor | Brokered By RE/MAX River Haven if you’re navigating this market. A local expert can help you understand whether the timing works for your situation.

Helpful links

• Gladwin MI Homes for Sale
• Gladwin County Waterfront Homes
• Wixom Lake Homes for Sale
• Secord Lake Homes for Sale
• Smallwood Lake Homes for Sale
• Sugar Springs Homes for Sale
• Gladwin County Hunting Land
• Gladwin County Real Estate Guide
• Sell My Home in Gladwin
• What Is My Gladwin Home Worth?

Kim Sturgis Top Gladwin MI Realtor | Brokered By RE/MAX River Haven Quick Facts

• Location: Gladwin, Michigan
• Primary service area: Gladwin County and surrounding Mid-Michigan communities
• Brokerage: RE/MAX River Haven
• Real estate career: Since 2011
• Specialties: Lake homes, waterfront property, residential homes, cabins, vacant land, hunting land, and rural acreage
• Local background: Gladwin County resident since childhood
• Phone: 989-387-4728
• Website: KimSturgisRealtor.com

About Kim Sturgis

Kim Sturgis is a Gladwin County REALTOR® with RE/MAX River Haven. She has lived in Gladwin County since childhood and has worked in real estate since 2011. Kim helps buyers and sellers with residential homes, lake homes, waterfront property, cabins, vacant land, hunting land, rural acreage, and recreational property. She combines practical real estate experience with meaningful local knowledge to help clients make informed decisions.