Frequently Asked Questions

On December 9, 2019, the City of Portage received its temporary permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to pump water from the Hampton Bog. The pumping began on December 9, 2019 and will continue until the water level is lowered by 4 inches.

The permit will allow pumping to occur over a 12-month period, whenever high-water events occur.

Approximately $50,000, which included set-up.

The historical high-water level of the bog is 872.4 feet above sea level.

The temperature sampling was completed in August 2019.  The data is encouraging as bogs are colder than Hampton Lake and the proposed water drainage route would allow for an equalization of the water temperature.  Storm events tend to increase water temperature; however, water traveling through the drainage system and ground water will cool.

No estimate has been prepared yet. Fishbeck plans to meet with the state regulatory agencies first to understand the scope and potential hurdles and to best understand the project and what it may cost. Funds in the amount of $1 million are being recommended for the 2020-2021 Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

Alternative options will be evaluated prior to application submittal for the state permit.

The open water around the golf course should be brought to the same water level as the bogs as a result of the project.

Yes.  However, any proposed new developments would have a stormwater management plan as part of the permitting process to further address the situation.

The definition does not change but the data behind it does.  The new data and models gathered from storm events in recent years were being accounted for when referring to a “100-year storm event”.

Not enough data has been collect to answer this question.  However, water levels are higher than normal in the Greenspire Bog and mature trees are succumbing to the water level.

The proposed permanent should address the flooding issue for surface water.  Groundwater in this area flows south towards Portage Creek.  The groundwater and bog levels should remain at similar levels.  Draining the bog should result in a corresponding decrease in adjoining groundwater.

Different versions of the passive system exist around the state, so the concept is not foreign. The Portage project is a specific design due to the nature of the bogs and there are other passive systems within the city.

The proposed limestone bed will operate as a natural filter and is expected to help mitigate pH concerns.

An easement is needed from the Woodbridge Hills shopping mall and the DNR, but only once EGLE approves the permit.

It is expected that results would be noticeable within a year.

The majority of the research work has been completed and the city’s consultant is hoping for a quick review by the state.  Per the application process, the state has 90 days to provide a response to the proposed project application. Once the application has been approved, an assessment district must be determined and initiated, construction plans must be created and approved by EGLE and the construction project must be bid.  Fishbeck will prepare a construction plan concurrently with the application process in order to allow construction to commence once an approval decision is rendered by EGLE.