Inland Lake Levels and Special Assessments in Leelanau County

If you’re buying on or near one of Leelanau’s inland lakes, here’s something worth knowing: Michigan can actually set a lake’s water level by law — and keep it there.

A state law called Part 307 lets courts set a “normal level” for a lake. That’s the water height that best serves the public, protects the lake’s natural life, and helps property values around the water. Michigan has several hundred lakes with one of these court-ordered levels. Your county Drain Commissioner is usually the one who runs the water-control structure that holds the lake at that height.

Here’s the part buyers often miss: keeping that structure running costs money, and the bill can come as a special assessment — a fee the county charges to properties that benefit from the lake staying at its normal level. It’s not just waterfront lots, either. If your deed includes lake-access rights, a backlot parcel can be on the hook too.

Before you close on any lakefront or lake-access property, ask the county whether there’s an active assessment district for that lake and what the annual cost looks like. A quick call now beats a surprise later.