Donate to Preserve Cornwall Flooding

Cornwall Dam was built in 1966 to create the 161-acre Cornwall Creek Flooding in the heart of the Pigeon River Country State Forest, Cheboygan County. The earthen dam is owned and maintained by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. A 2019 dam safety inspection rated it in poor condition and recommended immediate action. Huron Pines continues to pursue all available funding options for dam renovation and supports a community initiative to raise donations toward this goal.

Huron Pines is advocating for the renovation of Cornwall Dam to preserve the public recreation opportunities and ecological benefits offered by Cornwall Creek Flooding and is supportive of the grassroots Save Cornwall fundraising campaign launched in January.

As a conservation organization, we recognize Cornwall Creek Flooding as a popular destination for fishing, camping, hiking, hunting and horseback riding. The flooding is unique in that it is a non-motorized, undeveloped waterbody in a remote area of Northern Michigan, contributing substantial economic and social value to the surrounding community. Additionally, the flooding provides habitat for a multitude of wildlife which reside in the Pigeon River Country State Forest.

A common loon on Cornwall Flooding in 2023

We feel these attributes outweigh the ecological impacts to Cornwall Creek, the marshy stream impounded by Cornwall Dam. Because the benefits of Cornwall Creek are minimal for coldwater species like trout, habitat connectivity is not as critical on this stream as it is on other coldwater river systems. Furthermore, groundwater recharge between the dam and where Cornwall Creek meets the Pigeon River sufficiently lowers water temperature, negating the effects of thermal pollution from Cornwall Flooding.

As the project manager, our organization supports investments by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and the State of Michigan to restore the dam and keep the flooding. In total, $1,360,000 has been secured for dam renovation. We estimate total project cost at between $1.5 and $1.6 million, leaving a funding gap of approximately $200,000. Though we continue to seek additional grant funds for the project, local fundraising efforts are vitally important to ensure the preservation of Cornwall Flooding.

Huron Pines is acting as the fiduciary for the grassroots Save Cornwall fundraising campaign launched in January 2024. Donations will be held by Huron Pines until the total project funding goal is met, at which time donated funds will go directly to dam renovation and long-term maintenance of Cornwall Flooding.

You can donate to the Save Cornwall campaign here.

You can also read our January 2023 statement in support of dam renovation here.