Lake Augumentation Well Recommendations - Ask Extension
Our 25 acre 40' deep kettle lake does not have an inlet or outlet. The lake level can vary up to 24" every year. 25 years ago we installed an a...
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Lake Augumentation Well Recommendations #869922
Asked May 24, 2024, 11:44 AM EDT
Our 25 acre 40' deep kettle lake does not have an inlet or outlet. The lake level can vary up to 24" every year. 25 years ago we installed an augmentation well and have used it 2 times when water was low. One potential concern is to get large volume precipitation after using the well and have septic fields become flooded, What are your recommendations to use the well?
Livingston County Michigan
Expert Response
Thank you for submitting your question. This is an interesting question and complex to answer.
Ideally, it would be great if you didn't use the augmentation well at all and are able to enjoy the fluctuations of nature.
But to be more realistic, when augmenting your water level with your well, it would be best not to fill the lake up to its ordinary high water mark. Instead let the lake be lower. This will allow the lake to absorb higher precipitation events and reduce flooding/ septic system risks.
Given this is a complex issue, consulting with the Livingston County Health Department about your concerns about your septic system flooding due to excess precipitation:
https://milivcounty.gov/health/
Ideally, it would be great if you didn't use the augmentation well at all and are able to enjoy the fluctuations of nature.
But to be more realistic, when augmenting your water level with your well, it would be best not to fill the lake up to its ordinary high water mark. Instead let the lake be lower. This will allow the lake to absorb higher precipitation events and reduce flooding/ septic system risks.
Given this is a complex issue, consulting with the Livingston County Health Department about your concerns about your septic system flooding due to excess precipitation:
https://milivcounty.gov/health/
