Michigan DNR crews are using two 24-inch pumps at the Cheboygan dam, as officials work to keep the water level from rising further.
The pumps, together, are capable of moving 20,000 gallons per minute.
Laurie Abel, Public Information Officer for the DNR’s Incident Management Team, said crews removed some of the smaller pumps already on site to make room for the larger, high-volume equipment. You can watch the full update officials gave on Wednesday, April 15, in the video at the end of this article.
The DNR says it is still bringing in more equipment, with a total of 11 pumps expected to be operational once everything is in place.
As of Wednesday morning, the water level at the dam was sitting about seven inches below the top, around the same level reported Tuesday evening, but officials say it has been fluctuating due to weather and snowmelt.
She said the level will fluctuate, but isn’t changing until it does so continuously and significantly.
Previous coverage --> Dam failure fears grow in Cheboygan as water levels surge, evacuations begin
Richard Hill, DNR Gaylord District Supervisor and Co-Incident Commander, said crews have also been placed in preparation for the possibility that water continues to rise. He said rainfall overnight was roughly in line with forecasts, but officials do not want to see any additional rain.
Local 4 has learned the evacuation order for the Little Black River area was lifted at around noon on Wednesday.
The order had been issued on Tuesday after a levee break along the Little Black River prompted a rapid response from local officials.
Hill said the state is keeping a close eye on two additional dams that could have an impact on the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex if conditions worsen.
The state emergency operations center is also monitoring dams across the state. Hill said officials are actively checking to make sure dams are cresting safely.
Hill and Co-Incident Commander Mike Janisse said their team remains focused on the Cheboygan situation and is not currently engaged with dams in other regions.