snowmobile in Clark Lake

Crews from the sheriff's office dive team and marine patrol retrieved a snowmobile from the bottom of Clark Lake on July 13.

(Jackson County Sheriff's Office)

COLUMBIA TWP., MI - A snowmobile that sunk to the bottom of Clark Lake earlier this month after the operator failed in an attempt to cross the lake has been recovered.

Crews from the sheriff's office dive team and marine patrol retrieved a snowmobile from the bottom of Clark Lake on July 13.

Jackson County Undersheriff Chris Kuhl said a dive team and crews from the sheriff's office marine patrol fished the snowmobile out of Clark Lake Monday night.

Kuhl said his office received an anonymous tip July 2 stating someone had attempted to cross the lake on a snowmobile but sunk the vehicle before making it across.

Responding officers did not find anyone "in distress" at the scene and there were no witnesses on the lake, Kuhl said.

"Nobody said they saw anything," Kuhl said. "Typically, you don't find someone trying to ride a snowmobile across the lake in the summer."

With concerns about the snowmobile rusting at the bottom of the lake or leaking fuel into the water, the marine patrol and dive team coordinated efforts as part of a training exercise to locate and remove the vehicle, Kuhl said.

He said crews were able to retrieve the Ski-Doo snowmobile from about 25 to 35 feet of water using an inflatable flotation device and then towed the vehicle to shore at 9:37 p.m. July 13.

The snowmobile is now in police custody and Kuhl said investigators have identified the owner by the vehicle's registration and serial number.

He said it is unclear if the owner will face any criminal charges or fines related to the incident.

Kuhl said his office discourages anyone from making a similar attempt.

"Boats are made for water and snowmobiles are made for snow," he said.