Residents near the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex should be prepared to evacuate at any time as rising water levels threaten the structure, authorities in northern Michigan said Monday.
The Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning noting that the dam’s water levels had reached the “READY” mark of the state’s emergency safety protocol. The National Weather Service placed the area under a flood watch until 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, with more rain expected to hit the region.
Under the “READY, SET, GO” system used by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the “READY” status indicates that water has risen to within 12 inches of the top of the dam, with levels increasing by at least 3 inches per day.
As reported by The Detroit News, this stage requires residents to begin packing essentials and finalizing evacuation plans.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for the area Friday as officials monitored the rising water. By Sunday afternoon, Department of Natural Resources officials said levels were within 15 inches of the top of the dam, leading crews to install more pumps to help move water around the complex and prepare for further rain and snowmelt.
The protocol moves to the “SET” stage when water reaches 6 inches from the top of the dam or is predicted to overflow within 48 hours, at which point residents should be ready to leave immediately.
A mandatory “GO” order is issued if the water reaches within 1 inch of the top, signaling a high probability that the dam will fail or be overtopped.
Law enforcement urged people in the area to pack go-bags with medications and important documents. Residents are also being told to secure anything left outdoors, move their valuables to higher floors, and stay away from riverbanks and low-lying areas.
Built in 1922, the Cheboygan Dam is classified as a high-hazard structure, meaning a failure could lead to significant destruction and loss of life, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s National Dam Inventory.
While it was rated in “fair” condition during a September 2022 inspection, the dam is not currently producing power, according to The Detroit News.
The facility is privately owned by Hom Paper and remains part of a lock system managed by the Department of Natural Resources to allow boat traffic on the river.
In addition to the pumps installed Sunday, crews placed 1,500 sandbags along the lock Thursday and added more Saturday to serve as a buffer against the rising water.
The forecast calls for scattered thunderstorms Monday night, with a 30 percent to 60 percent chance of showers continuing into Tuesday. Rain is expected to last through Thursday, which could put more pressure on the dam.
Officials warned that roadblocks may be set up to handle traffic if a full evacuation becomes necessary.
