Crews work through the night to increase water flow through Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex

Crews worked through the night Sunday to increase the flow of water through the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex, using a crane to remove gates from the dam, adding pumps and bringing in a load of electric cable needed to reopen the hydroelectric station and further increase flow.

“We had a productive session overnight and we are continuing our work today,” said Mike Janisse, leader of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Incident Management Team that is leading the effort to mitigate flooding while preserving the dam and lock.

Efforts late Sunday included:

• Using the crane – so large it took multiple trucks to carry – to remove gates from the dam. Although all of the dam’s six gates have been open, removing the doors increases the water flow capacity.
• Bringing industrial wire from Illinois to Cheboygan, where it will be installed to fully open the dam’s hydroelectric station, which also will increase flow. Work began last night and continues today.

Efforts planned today include adding to the five pumps already moving water around the dam and additional sandbagging in the area.

The Michigan Department of Transportation has closed the US-23 bascule bridge in Cheboygan near the dam by raising its deck to the open position. The foundation of the bridge, built in 1940, is susceptible to erosion during flood events. Traffic is being detoured to the Lincoln Avenue Bridge. An operator from the Cheboygan County Road Commission can open the bridge in an emergency if needed.

The DNR, county and city officials also have worked together to create a map of the river and safety zone around it.

Water levels remain unpredictable. This map shows the current projected areas of potential flooding.

• Purple Zone: This is an active work zone and is closed to the public. Please stay out of this area.
• Cautionary Zone: This is the target area for potential flooding. Please avoid this area if possible. Community members within this area should be prepared with a go bag and secure valuables. The Cautionary Zone will be updated as the situation evolves.

These are predictions. Residents outside the green zone should still use caution and monitor the Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for updates: www.facebook.com/people/Cheboygan-County-Sheriffs-Office/100081259028439/

“We’re all working together to keep water flowing through the dam and to make sure that people are informed,” said Jeremy Runstrom, emergency manager for Cheboygan County.

Additional rain is expected in the area over the next several days. The Cheboygan River helps drain the watershed in the area into Lake Huron.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency beginning Friday for Cheboygan County due to rising water levels at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex.

For tips on how to prepare before, during and after an emergency or disaster, visit www.michigan.gov/miready. Cheboygan County officials also are encouraging local residents to sign up for notifications through Be Alert.

Note to editors: An accompanying map and photo are available below for download. Caption information follows.

• Safety zones map: A map of the immediate area surrounding the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex, showing the cautionary zone, road closures and areas closed to the public. 
• Crane: A crane company was brought in Sunday night to remove the gates from the Cheboygan Dam to increase the water flow.