As the flooding risk only begins to abate in Cheboygan County, the federal regulator of hydro-dams is seeking answers from the owners of local dams for problems that may have increased the threats.
Marilyn Sabido, the regional engineer for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, sent separate letters on April 23 to Hom Paper XI LLC, owner of the adjacent hydroelectric powerhouse to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources-managed Cheboygan Lock and Dam; and to Black River Hydro LP, part of the ownership group of the Alverno, Kleber and Tower dams located in Cheboygan County on the Upper Black River, controlling the river flowing into currently flood-ravaged Black Lake and upstream of the Cheboygan River, the Cheboygan Lock and Dam, and Lake Huron.
FERC: Dam owner had no engineers at its facilities as crisis unfolded
Sabido, in her letter to Black River Hydro environmental officer Tiffany Heon, noted “rapidly changing headpond elevations, gate issues, debris accumulation, erosion concerns and operational challenges” were observed by FERC personnel at all three of the Alverno, Kleber and Tower dams during flooding events in recent days, with no engineer representing the FERC-licensed company on-site at the time.
“Continuous and capable engineering oversight from the licensee is required during high-flow events and emergency conditions,” Sabido stated. “The absence of engineering expertise from the licensee raises significant concern regarding operational awareness, adequacy of staffing and compliance with required project oversight responsibilities.”
Among the problems at the three dams cited by FERC staff:
Sabido called for Black River Hydro to have all three dams inspected and assessed “immediately” by a professional engineer with dam safety experience. The inspection should identify all deficiencies, eroded areas, equipment issues or operational limitations.
Sabido called for a separate report for the company outlining why no engineer was present or available during the crisis; how operator coverage is currently structured; and what corrective measures will be taken to ensure qualified personnel are present or available during high-flow emergencies.
FERC is requiring the company’s response within 15 days. It must also undertake an updated hazard potential assessment of impacts downriver should the dams fail, due by Sept. 1.
Heon did not immediately respond to Free Press messages left on Friday, April 24.
With Cheboygan Dam turbine running again, FERC seeks owner action
At the Cheboygan Lock and Dam, as rising waters in the Cheboygan River threatened the dam with overtopping, DNR, FERC and Consumers Energy officials scrambled to restart a hydroelectric turbine at the dam’s powerhouse that hadn’t operated since a fire at an adjacent paper plant in September 2023. The restarted turbine enabled more water flow through the dam and helped reverse the rising water levels at the dam.
Sabido, in a letter to Hom Paper XI officials, called for an assessment of the facilities by a professional engineer with dam safety experience, including consulting with DNR officials on measures they’ve taken at the dam and their thoughts on other measures that could be taken to ensure its safety. The assessment is to include the needed spillway capacity for the high-hazard potential dam.
She also noted that the restart of the hydro-turbine is only a temporary measure, and that Hom Paper should now “take all necessary measures to provide for a permanent connection for the generating unit and restore the powerhouse to full and safe operation.”
Sabido called for Hom Paper’s engineer to be on-site within seven days, with an assessment to FERC by May 15.
Hom Paper attorney Tyler Tennent did not immediately respond to Free Press messages seeking comment on Friday.
An area resident was happy to see the federal regulator taking action at the dams.
“YAY!!! FERC finally did something in regard to the Hydro at Cheboygan Dam,” DL Dixon stated in a Facebook post on a Cheboygan community page. “It’s too bad it took this disaster to get them to hold the Hydro owner accountable, but finally they’ve made some appropriate demands of Hom Paper XI, LLC.
“FINALLY our Federal Agencies are taking action to hold Dam and Hydro Owner/Operators responsible, and they’re even giving directives with timelines to complete.”
Contact Keith Matheny: kmatheny@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Fed regulators demand action from Cheboygan area dam owners
Reporting by Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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