Courtesy photo of the Cheboygan Dam

CHEBOYGAN – The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is working closely with the private owner and operator of the hydroelectric plant at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex to do needed maintenance on the turbine there.

The maintenance repairs are currently underway. As a result, less water is flowing through the complex than previously, although water levels remain steady. Two spillway gates at the hydroelectric plant are open to help control water flow.

The DNR owns and operates the lock and spillway portion of the complex. The hydroelectric plant is privately owned.

The DNR along with federal, state and local partners worked with the private owner to get the turbines back online and moving water as the dam faced the threat of overtopping earlier this month. The turbine started running at 100% on April 17 and was turned off April 28 around 8:00 a.m. As expected, water levels at the dam rose briefly before leveling off. It is uncertain how long the repairs will take.

Earlier in the incident, all six spillway gates at the Cheboygan dam were removed. High-capacity pumps are being used to move water around the structure and into the spillway. Thanks to these measures, water levels have remained stable at slightly over 12 inches below the top of the structure.

Once a turbine bearing is fixed, the mechanical and electrical systems will be tested before the plant returns to full operation. “Right now, as we continue to mitigate high water flow, I think we will continue to see things progress in a positive direction,” said Rich Hill, co-leader of the DNR Incident Management Team. “That could change if we get a significant rainfall adding more water to the watershed.”

Cheboygan County emergency management officials are using the “Ready, Set, Go” system to advise residents about potential evacuations. You can find updates by signing up for the 211 information service, sign-up for local alerts and check 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 as the source of State of Michigan information dissemination related to the current State Emergency Operations Center activation.