As rains continued in Cheboygan, crews hoping to prevent an overflow of the Cheboygan Lock and Dam downtown were hoping to catch a break.
“We need Mother Nature to cooperate as well,” said Rich Hill, a leader with DNR’s unified incident command for the Cheboygan dam.
Waters in the Cheboygan River, swollen by rain and melting snow, were 6.72 inches from topping the dam downtown, as crews worked to avoid a potential dam failure.
Crews were deploying some 11 pumps, including two large, 24-inch diameter pumps capable of moving 10,000 gallons of water a minute, in an effort to take pressure off the dam. Crews were also working with Consumers Energy to attempt to restart a turbine not used over the past three years, as a means to move more water through the dam.
An evacuation order for a portion of Cheboygan after a levee failure in the Little Black River watershed was lifted after one day on Wednesday, April 15.
Flooding threatens multiple northern Michigan dams
The crisis of flooding and overwhelming spring waters was playing out at multiple locations throughout Michigan, with several northern Michigan dams considered under similar threat.
The Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office lifted the precautionary Little Black River watershed evacuation order on Wednesday afternoon. The evacuation had been implemented on Tuesday morning, April 14, after a levee failed and rising waters were observed in the area, which features a series of earthen dams and embankments.
“Residents may return to the area as safe to do so,” sheriff’s officials stated. “Please continue to avoid flood waters, as hazards may still be present.”
Some 20 roads and state highways remained closed Wednesday in Cheboygan County due to flooding.
Flood waters receding in Indian River — but for some, damage remains
Chad Sackrider spent a harrowing Tuesday night at his vacation home downriver from Cheboygan in Indian River. He and his wife, from Williamsburg, Ohio, purchased the property on Onaway Road along the Little Sturgeon River in 2023, both as a spot for their own vacations and as a rental property.
When he heard about the flooding, he made the nearly 8-hour drive north from Ohio. He quickly got as much furniture off the ground as possible in a lower area of the house.
“(Tuesday) it was just a few feet from the house. I woke up at about 5 a.m. (Wednesday) and could see the (receded) water and said, ‘Oh, praise the Lord,'” he said.
Sackrider had to cancel a rental scheduled to start on Thursday, April 16, because of the extensive flooding. On Wednesday, still inundated trees bore the mark of waters 2 feet deeper than the night before. A neighbor’s vacant home remained completely surrounded by water.
Sackrider said he never considered flooding a possibility on his property, elevated and set well off the river.
“That was a question we asked, even with insurance. ‘Hey, are we in a flood plain? Do we have to get flood insurance?’ and they were like, ‘No, no, you’re good,'” he said.
“The information I’m seeing is that this is a historical event. We got lucky; it’s devastating to see how much it’s affected my neighbors.”
Black Lake waters rising, caution urged
About 20 miles southeast of Cheboygan, the sheriff’s office said conditions are worsening on Black Lake.
“Recent rainfall over the past several days is expected to cause Black Lake water levels to continue to rise,” sheriff’s officials stated. “This increase in water levels may lead to additional flooding in low-lying areas.”
The department urged nearby residents to be prepared to move if conditions worsen.If you are currently experiencing flooding and feel unsafe, please do not hesitate to self-evacuate,” sheriff’s officials stated. “Secure outdoor property and valuables, and stay alert to changing water levels.”
Consumers Energy planned temporary power outage in Cheboygan
Consumers Energy alerted Cheboygan residents Wednesday afternoon that a planned power outage would occur sometime between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. “to work on the electrical system.”
The outage is separate from one that will later be necessary as crews attempt to bring back online a hydroelectric turbine at the Cheboygan dam, in an effort to move more water through.
Contact Keith Matheny: kmatheny@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Cheboygan dam remains under pressure as evacuation order lifted
Reporting by Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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