State officials say they’ve placed 1,500 sandbags on top of the Cheboygan Dam as water levels continue to rise due to melting snow and rainfall that’s been above the seasonal average, according to the National Weather Service.
As of Friday afternoon, the Michigan State Police said the Cheboygan River is sitting 18 inches below the top of the dam. On Thursday, the state reported the water levels were 21 inches from the top.
If the levels reach 12 inches, an emergency action plan will go into effect, an official with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources told WCMU.
That same official, Jon Peppin, a public information officer with the DNR, said the exact details of the emergency action plan were still being fleshed out and will be made public soon.
“There's a comprehensive plan in place to protect Michiganders and property,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a press release Friday afternoon following an announcement that she activated the State Emergency Response Center due to the rising water level.
“Activating the SEOC will help support local communities with the resources they need to keep people safe.”
Officials from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are also on scene helping the state monitor water levels and execute mitigation measures.
All the gates of the dam have been opened to help keep water flowing from the Cheboygan Lock and the Dam Complex, according to the DNR. Additionally, officials are exploring the possibility of rejuvenating a “previously damaged hydroelectric generator.”
As locals wait and see what the water levels do next, wet weather is likely to continue into the weekend and into next week. In addition, highs near 60 degrees are projected for next week’s forecast which could lead to more melting snow.
The @MichStatePolice say water levels at the Cheboygan Dam are now 18 inches from the top of the dam. When it reaches 12 inches, the @MichiganDNR says it will begin executing an emergency plan. The exact details of that plan have not yet been made public. pic.twitter.com/iXFGByNVub
— Rick Brewer (@Reporter_Brewer) April 10, 2026
“Saturday night and Sunday rain chances increase from the southwest, could be locally heavy at times through the day Sunday,” said Matt Gillen of the National Weather Service office in Gaylord. “Those chances don't really look to quit next week. Additional rain chances Monday through at least Wednesday.”
State officials are encouraging people signup for local alerts and read their flood preparedness and safety guide. People can also sign up for emergency updates for the Cheboygan area through the Smart 911 system.
“We are asking the public to avoid areas where crews are working at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex to help keep everybody safe,” Pepin said in a statement. “In general, the public is advised to keep safely back from places where rivers and creeks are running high and fast during spring runoff.”
We note the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is a sponsor of WCMU. We report on them as we do with any other organization.
