Case Study - Wraco Dam Failure and Future-Oriented Infrastructure
Written by A. Lubeck in consultation with Chris Hoving, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Main Takeaways
Historic climate data are no longer reliable predictors of future conditions when it comes to infrastructure planning. Climate change scenarios and frequency of ‘100-year’ events need to be taken into account when planning.
Climate Impact
Increasing frequency and severity of precipitation events due to climate change are causing newly constructed infrastructure to fail under the pressure of new precipitation patterns.
Adaptation Planning / Action
Michigan DNR launched a comprehensive assessment of all DNR operated dams. They constructed a list of dams in need of repairs and used nature based solutions in areas where beavers have become the main ecosystem engineers.
Reflection
This case study shows that climate adaptation requires forward-thinking design standards that reflect future, not past, conditions. Flexible, ecosystem-based solutions (like leveraging beavers as natural engineers) are important when it comes to the health of the surrounding ecosystem. When considering adaptive planning like decommissioning dams, community engagement is needed to balance ecological goals with local values and concerns.
Background
Michigan, like much of the Northeast, is experiencing more frequent and intense extreme precipitation events due to climate change. Historic climate data are no longer reliable predictors of future conditions. This reality became starkly apparent in April 2014, when an extreme rainstorm in northern Michigan caused a newly constructed water control structure to fail, despite being engineered for a “100-year flood.”
At the heart of the issue was a mismatch: the design was based on outdated precipitation averages, not on the escalating trend of climate-driven rainfall. Fortunately, no lives or property were lost, but the incident highlighted the urgency of climate-adaptive infrastructure and planning.
Management Actions
Following the event, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) launched a comprehensive assessment and response effort:
Infrastructure Audit
A dedicated DNR technician was tasked with inspecting every water control structure the agency owned. The goal was to evaluate:
- Structural condition (many dams were over 50 years old)
- Ecological effectiveness (e.g., whether they continued to support fish and wildlife habitat)
Nature-Based Solutions
Many structures were found to be obsolete, particularly where beavers (Castor canadensis) had returned and were naturally creating wetland and marsh habitat. In such cases, DNR decommissioned failing dams to:
- Prevent future dam failures and floods
- Encourage beaver-engineered ecosystems
- Help cool water temperatures, improving habitat for cold-water fish in a warming climate.
Social Challenges
Despite the ecological benefits, dam removal proved socially and politically complex. Many of these dams created man-made lakes that private landowners valued for aesthetics, recreation, and property value. Some communities resisted dam removal because it impacted local economies dependent on fishing, boating, and tourism. The tension revealed that even climate-smart and ecologically beneficial strategies can face social resistance.
Reference
Adapted from
Staudinger, M.D., A.V. Karmalkar, K. Terwilliger, K. Burgio, A. Lubeck, H. Higgins, T. Rice, T.L. Morelli, A. D'Amato. 2024. A regional synthesis of climate data to inform the 2025 State Wildlife Action Plans in the Northeast U.S. DOI Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Cooperator Report. 406 p. https://doi.org/10.21429/t352-9q86