The Edenville Dam is one of a group of four dams that were built in 1924 to generate hydroelectric electricity. It is located about 21 miles north of Midland on the Tittabawassee River.[*] Flood control is widely recognized as another key reason for dams being added to the Tittabawassee River.[6] The other dams in the group are the Sanford, Smallwood and Secord.[†] All four dams are earthen embankments with concrete spillways.
Edenville was constructed in two sections: one embankment across the Tittabawassee River and one across the Tobacco River. The hydroelectric facilities built with this dam comprise 4.8 megawatts of total generation capacity. The electricity produced by the Edenville Dam has been sold under a long-term power purchase agreement with Consumers Energy, an investor-owned public utility.[7] Water held by the dam formed a 2,600-acre reservoir called Wixom Lake. Water held by the Sanford Dam downstream formed the 1,569-acre Sanford Lake.[8]
[*]The dam is located on the county border between Midland and Gladwin counties. “Dam Information” (Gladwin County, 2020), https://perma.cc/2MQX-WPZW.
[†]The Secord Dam is located 42 miles upstream of Midland. Smallwood Dam is 34 miles upstream. Both are located in Gladwin County. The Sanford Dam is located approximately 10 miles upstream of Midland in Midland County.