A $3 million project to replace the Briggs Dam on the Paw Paw River is now underway, nearly eight years after a partial breach raised concerns about the structure’s long-term stability.

In 2017, heavy rainfall caused an embankment at the dam to fail, sending water through an emergency spillway into Maple Lake. Temporary repairs were completed that year at a cost of $225,000. Village officials said those fixes reinforced the embankment but were never intended to be a permanent solution.

The new project will replace the Briggs Dam up to the section containing two dam gates. Plans include construction of a weir system designed to raise water levels or redirect flow and withstand extreme weather events.

Planning for the project began in 2018. A 2020 engineering study determined that no short-term repairs would meet the 30-year durability requirement needed for federal loan approval. In response, the state of Michigan allocated $2 million toward the project.

Crews have placed a crane and buoys at the site and are using a temporary cofferdam to create dry conditions around the existing structure while water is diverted through open gates.

Village leaders have emphasized that, unlike some communities that have opted to remove dams to restore natural waterways, Paw Paw depends on its two dams to maintain Maple Lake. They describe the lake as central to the community’s economy, culture and identity.

The majority of construction is scheduled to be completed by December 2025, with final work extending into spring 2026.