The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced the reopening of the Cheboygan Lock and Damn complex on Friday, June 26, after the facility closed in early April due to high-water conditions.
The closure, triggered by record-breaking snowmelt and heavy rain, remained closed even after the high water subsided due to repairs and an improvement project.
“When Mother Nature hit us with this unrelenting water, it was all hands on deck to protect the people and places in harm’s way,” said Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “The emergency response was a partnership across the board, with local, state and federal agencies and private companies coming together to get the job done. Thank you to everyone who helped keep Michiganders safe and returned recreational opportunities to northern Michigan.”
The facility, located in Cheboygan, is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
It provides seasonal access to Michigan’s inland waterways for recreational and commercial watercraft up to 16 feet wide and 75 feet long. The lock is open daily through Sept. 28, 2026.
Additionally, Garfield Road and Lincoln Street boating access sites are expected to reopen on Friday.
The Crooked River Lock in Emmet County also reopened Friday.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Cheboygan Lock and Dam reopens after spring closure
Reporting by Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
