Sanford Lake, located in Midland County, Michigan, is a 225-acre lake that no longer exists in its original form due to a dam breach in 2020. The former lakebed is now an overgrown area with sprouting trees and vegetation, creating hidden hazards for visitors.

Midland County has adopted specific regulations for the former Sanford Lake area. Permitted activities include hiking, fishing, sightseeing, waterfowl hunting and trapping, and kayaking/canoeing. However, visitors should exercise extreme caution due to unstable ground conditions. Some areas that appear solid can suddenly turn to quicksand-like mud.

Prohibited activities include deer or upland game hunting, camping, open fires, bike riding, horseback riding, ORV or snowmobile use, disturbing the ground, stump removal, and building structures on the lake bottom. The DNR is empowered to issue tickets for violations.

Property owners adjacent to the former shoreline are allowed to mow and control weeds near their property lines. However, all visitors are strongly advised not to venture out alone due to safety concerns.

The Four Lakes Task Force is working on plans to restore the lake, but currently, it remains a dramatically altered landscape compared to its former state as a recreational lake. Visitors should be prepared for a unique and potentially hazardous environment rather than traditional lake paddling conditions.

Given the current state of Sanford Lake, paddlers are advised to seek alternative locations for water-based recreation until restoration efforts are completed. The timeline for potential restoration remains uncertain.