Cheboygan River remains less than 5 inches from top of dam. Friday updates
April 17, 2026
State says the water was .12 inches higher on Thursday than the previous day.
Tensions in Cheboygan County have eased slightly as water levels in the Cheboygan River began to recede from a critical high of less than five inches from the top of the Cheboygan Dam. The positive development came late Friday morning after crews successfully restarted the turbines at the adjacent hydroelectric powerhouse, significantly increasing the flow of water toward Lake Huron. Within hours of the restart, water levels behind the dam had dropped by approximately two inches, providing a welcome but cautious relief for the community.
The crisis unfolded over the past week as a combination of record March snowfall and recent heavy rains caused rivers throughout the watershed to swell, putting immense pressure on the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex. On April 10, with water levels rising alarmingly, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Cheboygan County. This action activated the State Emergency Operations Center and various state agencies to assist in the response. As the water continued to rise, reaching just 4.92 inches from the top of the dam by late Thursday, the situation grew increasingly perilous.
A multi-agency effort, involving the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Michigan State Police, the Army Corps of Engineers, and private contractors, worked around the clock to mitigate the flood risk. Their primary focus became the revival of the privately owned hydroelectric powerhouse, which had been dormant since a fire in 2023. The successful operation was a complex and technical endeavor, involving rewiring circuits and testing machinery that had been idle for an extended period. In addition to this, large industrial pumps were brought in, and crews used a crane to remove gates from the dam to maximize water flow.
The potential consequences of a dam failure are severe, as the structure is classified as "high hazard," meaning a breach could cause significant damage and potential loss of life. Beyond the immediate downstream flood risk, the dam's failure would have long-lasting environmental and recreational impacts on the Inland Waterway, a 40-mile chain of lakes and rivers controlled by the dam. The crisis also prompted emergency work on other local structures, including a breach at the Alverno Dam upstream, which required extensive sandbagging efforts to reinforce.
While the restart of the turbines marks a significant turning point, officials remain on high alert. Cheboygan County's emergency management team continues to monitor the situation closely, utilizing a "Ready, Set, Go" system to keep residents informed about potential evacuations. With more rain forecasted for the weekend, water levels are expected to fluctuate as more water moves into the basin from upstream. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and follow updates from the Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office and state emergency services.
Source: detroitnews