Crews Scramble to Protect Cheboygan Lock and Dam as Water Levels Rise

Michigan governor declares state of emergency as heavy rain and snowmelt threaten the aging infrastructure.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:23am

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting depicting the Cheboygan Lock and Dam structure dwarfed by a swirling vortex of heavy rain, dark clouds, and turbulent waters, conveying the fragility of human infrastructure in the face of overwhelming natural forces.As extreme weather events threaten aging infrastructure, the Cheboygan Lock and Dam battles rising floodwaters in a dramatic natural struggle.Cheboygan Today

Crews in Cheboygan, Michigan have deployed sandbags and pumps around the Cheboygan Lock and Dam as water levels in the area continue to rise due to significant snowfall and recent heavy rain. Michigan's governor has declared a state of emergency for Cheboygan County, and state agencies are working to prevent the potential failure of the aging dam structure.

Why it matters

The Cheboygan Lock and Dam is a critical piece of infrastructure that helps control water flow and prevent flooding in the region. A failure of the dam could lead to devastating floods downstream, putting nearby communities at serious risk. The state's emergency response highlights the growing threat that extreme weather events pose to aging dams and other water management systems across the country.

The details

Crews have placed sandbags around the Cheboygan Lock and Dam and are using large pumps to move water from behind the dam to the spillway in front, where it can continue flowing toward Lake Huron. They have also removed a wooden debris screen to help increase water flow through one of the dam's gates. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says the water level in the Cheboygan River has risen to 18 inches below the top of the dam.

  • On Friday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Cheboygan County due to the flood risk.
  • On Saturday, crews were deployed to the Cheboygan Lock and Dam to place sandbags and operate pumps.

The players

Gretchen Whitmer

The governor of Michigan who declared a state of emergency for Cheboygan County due to the flood risk.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

The state agency that is actively engaged with partners to prevent the failure of the Cheboygan Dam.

Michigan State Police

The agency running the state's emergency response out of the State Emergency Operations Center.

U.S. Geological Survey

The federal agency that has installed additional water level monitoring equipment at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam.

Mike Janisse

The leader of the state agencies' Incident Management Team.

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What they’re saying

“Significant snowfall and recent rain have raised water levels, which could lead to possible flooding for areas downstream of the dam.”

— Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan

“The DNR is actively engaged with our partners to prevent the failure of the dam to the fullest extent possible.”

— Mike Janisse, Leader of the state agencies' Incident Management Team

What’s next

State officials will continue to monitor the water levels at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam and take additional measures as needed to prevent a potential failure of the structure.

The takeaway

This emergency response highlights the growing threat that extreme weather events pose to aging infrastructure like dams across the country. As climate change leads to more frequent and intense storms, communities will need to invest in upgrading and reinforcing critical water management systems to protect against the risk of catastrophic flooding.