Water levels are high in the spring but can drop by as much as 2 feet in the summer heat.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

WEST BLOOMFIELD/ORCHARD LAKE — The Upper Straits Clean Lake Association, in cooperation with the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, is appealing the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s denial of a request for an augmentation well that would help maintain court-ordered water levels on Upper Straits Lake.

In the 1960s, it was determined in Oakland County Circuit Court that Upper Straits Lake’s water level should be kept at nearly 931 feet above sea level. Since then, weekly water level readings have been published by the Drain Commission.

The lake extends from West Bloomfield Township to Orchard Lake Village, with homes on 223 parcels, va

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