Keeping the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex free of debris and ensuring water continues to flow, is a 24-hour job.
Armed with long-handled metal rakes, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff and contractors have manually been removing woody and other unanchored debris from the dam’s gates since response efforts began.
“Staff are on-scene around the clock keeping eyes on the dams,” said Mike Janisse, co-leader of the DNR Incident Management Team. “When debris comes up, we spot it and remove it right away because we are on-scene. Our objective remains to remove anything that could impede waterflow at the dam.”
In addition to the crews with rakes, heavy machinery and two marine vessels are being used to clear debris and keep water moving.
A marine vessel is being used to remove logs and other vegetation and to break up ice on Mullet Lake, upstream from Cheboygan Dam.
The retrieved debris is being moved to the Forks Boating Access Site, which is currently closed to the public, before it is separated and permanently removed.
Spring rains and melting snow from a record March snowfall have caused rivers across the watershed to swell.
Cheboygan County emergency management officials are monitoring the situation and using the “Ready, Set, Go” system to advise residents about potential evacuations. You can find updates by following the
Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page.
The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) activated the Joint Information Center (JIC) as the source of state agency information dissemination. Find links to and sign up to receive
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