The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Natural Resources have filed suit against Golden Lotus Incorporated, the non-profit that operates the Song of the Morning yoga retreat in Northern Michigan, for a massive fish kill the state blames on the group releasing too much water from a dam they operate and control.
 

On or about June 22, 2008, a significant discharge of water from the dam caused water levels in the impoundment to drop, drastically increasing the downstream flows to the Pigeon River and transporting massive amounts of sediment downstream, which caused an extensive fish kill in this blue-ribbon trout stream. This is the third discharge from the dam documented by the state and the second directly attributable to GLI.

The DNR and the DEQ are working together to assess the full extent of the damages incurred by the June 2008 discharge of sediment and severe flow fluctuations in the Pigeon River. It is the intent of the state to hold GLI responsible by seeking a long-term solution designed to protect the health of the Pigeon River and its aquatic resources.

The yoga community and the dam are located in the Pigeon River Country State Forest, located just north of Gaylord. The suit seeks monetary damages to pay for the restoration of the river to its previous condition.