History:

These are photos of Square Lake dating back to the 1920s. Below the photos there is a brief history of the degredation of the lake beginning in 1976 with detailed information of DLA's involvement in bringing the lake water levels back up.

Square Lake in 1925

Kelly Park was developed in the 1930s by Lucien Kelly. It was located on the east shore of Square Lake and included a picnic area, campground, and beach for swimming.

Square Lake in the early 1970s

Square Lake cemetary on Joslyn Road

The search for Square Lake's water began in the late 1970s after the water had been drained to create canals in the area.

Photos of Square Lake in the late 1970s.

There was a sandbar, due to lack of water.

Former DLA president Frank Kunz volunteered countless hours to help bring our lake back to life and preserve it for over 40 years. Pictured here also is the late Jerry Moon who helped with the DLA.

With the purchase of the new pumps in 1991 (thanks to the SAD money from residents), the DLA was able to help restore lake levels back to normal.

HISTORY OF THE DEGREGATION OF SQUARE LAKE

1976 – Cannels were dug adjacent to Heights into Lake Orion. Soils were disturbed and replaced and Heights road elevations changed. This was done under the state, DNR, Oakland County and Orion Twp approved permits.

1977 – Disappearing Lakes Association was incorporated with the express purpose to get the drop in water level back. Contributions were requested from both lakefront and off lake property owners. Additional monies were raised thru the ‘Muck Festival’. Thousands of hours of work were all volunteer unpaid hours.

1979 – The DLA accumulated $15,000 including account interest. Note: The maximum out of pocket monies contributed from lake donors was $300.

With this capital the DLA solicited various law firms to pursue legal action against those responsible for the disaster to Square Lake. We engaged legal assistance to pursue those responsible. We contended that the DNR was negligent by issuing permits for dredging of the canals without performing adequate studies noting the ground flow of water which helped recharge our lake. Thereafter water flow was diverted into the canals which did not freeze over in the winter. After 10 years of lawsuits the Michigan Supreme Court declared that all government agencies were immune to any responsibility. We then legally pursued the private contractors and developers

1989 – The DLA received an insurance settlement of approximately $250,000 from two subcontractors. After the legal fees, our award was only $162,000.

The original $15,000 along with interest had grown to $32,000 with total assets of approximately $194,000. These monies were invested in bank certificates earning interest over the years.

1990-1991 - The DLA worked with Oakland County to complete studies as to the feasibility of various methods to get our water back. In lieu of having the county take over the lake and establish a lake level (with only 1 Square Lake Rep on that Board), we funded a study with Environmental Sciences and Engineering at a cost of $13,000.

The County’s cost estimates to manage the project could range from $400,000 – 500,000 with many costs omitted (such as monitoring well, power, storm overflow, test wells and property acquisition. They stated it would be three years before they could begin work.

The DLA decided to manage the project themselves. The site for the first well was donated by Mr & Mrs Althouse. The site for the storm overflow was donated by Mr & Mrs Jerry Moon and the site for the monitoring well was donated by Mr & Mrs Artman.

1992- first well (230’ installed @ cost of $100,000) driven by 30 hp motor with an output of 475 gpm (gallons per minute) by Hart Well Drilling

The total costs for the main well and pump, monitoring well, 100 year storm control facility and easements along with landscaping and refurbishing was approximately $88,000. Energy costs (at the commercial rate from Edison) for the first year was $18,338 and we were able to overcome the 32 inch deficit in the lake level

1993 – The DLA pursued the advantages of establishing an assessment district to support the ongoing energy costs.

1994 - Electrical SAD was approved

Later SAD districts were approved for Pump Maintenance & Weed and Algae Control

2000 - The second well in the vicinity of the original was installed by Birkmeier Well Drilling (after output dropped off on first well) driven by 30 hp motor with 500 gpm. The original well was redeveloped and functioned with a 10 hp motor.

2015 – Output on second well dropped and it was determined by Birkmeier that both wells needed to be re-developed. Costs were assessed against the pump maintenance SAD

Fun fact: Did you know that most lakes in Michigan could be described as kettle lakes? The term "kettle lake" describes the way the lake basin was formed. Kettle lake basins were formed as the glaciers receded thousands of years ago. While this was happening, a block of ice broke off the glacier. As the glacier melted, the debris from the glacier (soil, rocks, stones, gravel, etc.) filled in around the block of ice. When the block of ice finally melted, all the debris surrounding it fell into the hole, creating the kettle type basin, which when filled with water, became a lake as we know it.