High Water Mark
We want the highest flood levels to be in our past … and our highest levels of progress ahead of us.
Latest News
March 21, 2025
Army Corps of Engineers Takes Feedback from Midland Community on Flood Study
Area citizens met with experts from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, asked questions, and offered opinions of how they would like to reduce flooding in the Midland area.
February 20, 2025
Public Invited to Corps of Engineers Open House
On March 20 in Midland, join the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local partners for an information exchange on the GI study.
In 2021, the Midland Business Alliance (MBA) Board of Directors formed a task force to examine any infrastructure issue that impacts the quality of life and economic vitality of the Midland area. As its first task, the MBA Advisory Committee on Infrastructure is charged with finding the best ways to work with local, state and federal partners to address longstanding flood issues that impact the citizens, business community and economic development in the GLBR. Two initial primary areas of focus are the legacy flooding challenges and the related sanitary sewer issues.
FAQ
(May 2023)
Fact Sheet
(May 2023)
ROI
(March 2024)
Midland Flood
Reduction Plan
Committee Structure
The volunteer advisory committee is made up of MBA board members, members of the community at large, an MBA staff representative, and ex officio representatives from the Four Lakes Task Force, Midland County and the City of Midland. The committee functions under the Midland Business Alliance Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.
Key Initiatives
Solutions won’t come overnight. In fact, mitigation efforts are likely to take years. But the first steps involve an engineering study in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the development of potential infrastructure projects, and the evaluation of each project’s benefits and feasibility. Our key tasks and initiatives include:
Engineering services — The first step is to learn “what we don’t know” and gain valuable insight from experts. Engineers and scientists will help with data accumulation, a review of past flood and hydrological studies, technical assistance, and development of sound concepts for potential flood mitigation and infrastructure improvements.
Community involvement — Our goal is to create broad and wide community engagement and participation from individuals, community groups and leaders, neighborhoods, businesses and various organizations. This will include townhall meetings, community workshops and regular communication.
Conservation — We want to collaborate with conservation and environmental organizations for floodlands to find beneficial solutions.
Advocacy and partnerships — We want to engage with federal, state and local leaders, agencies and offices. This includes working closely with the City of Midland and Midland County officials, with surrounding counties, and with agencies and organizations such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and the Four Lakes Task Force. We will also advocate for support from our state and federal representatives and senators.
Finance — We are committed to advocating for government support and other innovative financing of future projects.
In May 2023, the Advisory Committee on Infrastructure held a High Water Mark event for the community, providing flood reduction information on funding, potential plans, and progress to date. This event featured guest speaker Nick Zager, chief of planning, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Detroit District, and a panel of environmentalists discussing watershed health with experts:
- Elan Lipschitz, executive director, Little Forks Conservancy
- Dennis Pilaske, executive director, Chippewa Nature Center
- Mike Kelly, director, Great Lakes Office, The Conservation Fund and Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network (WIN)
- Helen Taylor, state director, Michigan, The Nature Conservancy
- Kyle Rorah, regional director of public policy, Ducks Unlimited
You can watch the full event above.
Keep up to date with the latest information on our flood reduction / resiliency project by joining our mailing list.
Advisory Committee on Infrastructure | Virtual Town Hall
(July 29, 2024)
Presentation at “State of the Bay”
(Sept. 22, 2022)
Community Support
Many local foundations and businesses have already donated to support the committee’s research, flood study and initial planning efforts. No local tax dollars are being used for the study, thanks to their support. These donors include:
Charles J. Strosacker Foundation
Corteva Agriscience
Dow Company Foundation
Fisher Companies
Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation
Johnston Contracting
Midland Area Community Foundation
MyMichigan Health
Patricia and David Kepler Foundation
Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation
Three Rivers Corporation