Cheboygan Dam Floods Near Capacity as Governor Activates State Emergency

# Cheboygan Dam Floods Near Capacity as Governor Activates State Emergency

Water levels at Michigan's Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex have reached the ready mark, prompting state officials to urge residents to prepare for potential evacuation amid fears the century-old structure could fail.

The crisis stems from a combination of record snowfall last month and sustained heavy rainfall over the past weeks, creating unprecedented pressure on the Cheboygan River watershed that feeds the dam.

State Emergency Center Activated

Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated the Michigan State Emergency Operations Center on Friday, April 10, declaring a state of emergency due to rising water levels at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex on the Cheboygan River.

"This morning, I'm activating the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate state efforts around the Cheboygan Dam," Whitmer said. "Record snowfall last month and recent rain have elevated water levels, which could lead to possible flooding for local communities."

The National Weather Service reported that an active pattern over the past month has resulted in above-average snowpack and rain, approximately 5 inches above average liquid equivalent since March 1, across Cheboygan County.

Water Levels Rising

When the governor declared a state of emergency on Friday, she said the river was 18 inches below the top of the Cheboygan Dam. That number dropped to 15 inches below the top by Sunday afternoon, according to a DNR press release.

The emergency declaration authorizes the state to use all available resources to assist in local response and recovery operations.

Three-Stage Warning System

State and local officials are using a three-stage warning system called ready, set, go to guide residents on preparation and potential evacuation.

• Ready: When water is 12 inches below the top of the dam with levels rising 3 inches a day or more, residents should plan and pack in case an evacuation is ordered
• Set: When water reaches 6 inches below the top of the dam with water levels rising at 3 inches per day or a prediction that water will top the dam within 48 hours, residents should pack and prepare families, pets and vehicles for possible departure
• Go: When water levels are 1 inch below the top of the dam with a high probability of topping it and the possibility of dam failure, residents will be ordered to evacuate

Under flooding protocols, residents near the waterway would be ordered to evacuate if the water level is 1 inch below the top of the dam, but officials are asking residents to prepare amid rising levels before then.

Emergency Measures Underway

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has added five pumps to divert water around the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex in downtown Cheboygan. Two pumps were active Friday, and three were added by Saturday afternoon.

"These pumps move water from behind the dam to the spillway in front, where it can flow out toward Lake Huron," said DNR spokesperson Laurie Abel.

The DNR said making the electrical generation station operational would add water flow capacity. DNR staffers are working closely with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which regulates the dam, to look at options for re-opening a hydroelectric generation station at the dam site to move more water.

Two thousand sandbags are in place, and the department said it is possible more may be added. The sandbagging is expected to be a buffer for rising water and help channel the water.

Crews also removed an old wooden debris screen in front of Gate No. 6 after determining the removal would not damage the dam. It is expected to help more water flow out and lower the water level behind the dam.

Dam Infrastructure

The Cheboygan Lock and Dam, originally completed in 1869, is over 150 years old. The current dam structure used for hydroelectric power was completed in 1922.

It is a 21-foot high, 580-foot long dam that raises or lowers recreational boats by approximately 15-16 feet, connecting Lake Huron with the Inland Waterway, a 38-mile-long series of rivers and lakes in Emmet and Cheboygan counties.

The complex includes the Cheboygan Lock and Dam and a privately owned hydroelectric facility. It is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Wide-Spread Impact

The Cheboygan River watershed is an important watershed in northern Michigan, for biodiversity, recreation and local economies. It is the largest in the Tip of the Mitt region, encompassing over 900,000 acres.

That is about the same size as Wayne and Oakland counties combined. Six river systems and more than six inland lakes all drain into the Cheboygan River system, culminating at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam facility.

Weather Forecast

Meteorologists said more rain is forecast into the middle of next week, which could further increase water flows. Warmer temperatures expected this weekend, along with rain forecast into the middle of next week, could increase water flows from the snowpack that built up in March.

"Ice also has been thawing in the lakes above the dam," said DNR spokesperson Laurie Abel.

Public Safety

The Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office warned residents Monday that water levels have reached the ready mark as rain continued to be in the forecast for the next few days. The National Weather Service declared a flood watch until 8 a.m. Wednesday.

"There is a lot of misinformation going around right now on people that could be affected by this that are not going to be," said Cheboygan County Sheriff Todd Ross. "Community members within this area should be prepared with a go bag and secure valuables. The Cautionary Zone will be updated as the situation evolves."

Residents are urged to sign up for local alerts or call 211 for information about potential evacuations.

Bridge Closure

The Michigan Department of Transportation raised the U.S. 23 bascule bridge in Cheboygan on Monday and closed it to roadway traffic as a preventative measure while officials continue monitoring water levels at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex.

"During the bridge closure, traffic will be detoured south to the Lincoln Avenue Bridge. MDOT officials said there is no timeline for reopening the bridge, which will need to be inspected before it can be re-opened," according to state police.

An operator from the Cheboygan County Road Commission will be on site and ready to open the bridge in an emergency if needed.

Power Shutoff Possible

Consumers Energy said it might shut off power in the Cheboygan area if flooding progresses. Flooding and wet ground conditions may threaten electrical equipment and infrastructure.

"We understand how difficult it can be to face flooding and the added concern of losing power," said Greg Salisbury, Consumers president of electric distribution. "Every step we take is grounded in safety, and we will continue working closely with local officials while doing everything we can to support the community through this."

The company is placing a mobile substation on a local walking path to support the local hospital and other critical infrastructure.

What Residents Should Know

Cheboygan County Sheriff Todd Ross encouraged residents to get their information on the evolving dam situation from official channels. He urged people to avoid the cautionary zone shown along the river, which is the target area for potential flooding.

The cautionary zone extends along both riverbanks into North Main Street and North Huron Street on the river northwest bank, and into South A Street on its southeastern bank.

Sources:

• Michigan State Police Newsroom: State Emergency Operations Center Activated in Response to Rising Water Levels at Cheboygan Dam, https://www.michigan.gov/mspnewsroom/news-releases/2026/04/10/state-emergency-operations-center-activated-in-response-to-rising-water-levels-at-cheboygan-dam
• UpNorthLive: Cheboygan Dam reaches Ready level as rising waters prompt early evacuation preparations, https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/cheboygan-dam-ready-level-rising-water-evacuation-preparations-water-level-flooding-michigan-northern-wpbn-whitmer-emergency
• Detroit Free Press: Cheboygan Dam teeters near spillover as tensions escalate, https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2026/04/13/cheboygan-dam-michigan-update/89593452007/
• Detroit News: DNR adds more pumps to Cheboygan dam area as more rain is forecast, https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2026/04/12/cheboygan-dam-flood-rain-snowmelt-evacuation-pumps-natural-resources/89580565007/
• WWMT: Flooding concerns at Cheboygan dam continue with rain, snowmelt forecast, https://wwmt.com/news/state/flooding-concerns-cheboygan-lock-dam-state-emergency-operation-center-diverting-water-pumps-department-natural-resources-dnr-rain-forecast-snowmelt-rising-levels-river-northern-michigan
• CBS Detroit: Crews deploy more sandbags and pumps at Cheboygan Lock and Dam amid rising water levels, https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/cheboygan-lock-dam-rising-water-levels/