Hesperia Dam returning to normal after near-disaster

Photo taken Thursday, April 16, 2026 by Editor-in-Chief Rob Alway.

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

HESPERIA — Life is returning to normal in the Village of Hesperia where its dam was on the verge of breaching last week from the rain-swelled White River.

“We’re on the way to healing,” said Village President Mike Farber Monday, April 20. 

The National Weather Service lifted the flash flood watch and flood warnings at noon Monday. “Our flood warnings are over downstream; we’ve re-opened up parks; and the only thing we haven’t re-opened is the dam area itself.” The dam area remains closed because railings that were removed when the water rose to dangerous levels have not been reinstalled yet.

The bridge next to the dam over Maple Island Road was also re-opened Monday.

“Everything is pretty much back to normal,” said Farber, who met with Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and Michigan Department of Transportation officials Monday to ensure everything is safe.

“Everything looks good, so we all are set. The water is still high but it’s not a threat anymore.”

Rain is not forecasted for the next several days.

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