Historic snowfall across Michigan during March 2026, combined with heavy rain prompted the National Weather Service to issue 13 flash flood warnings, 24 flood warnings and 25 flood advisories across the US state. Significant river flooding occurred and hundreds of residents were displaced, numerous roads flooded, while concerns about overtopping and potential failure necessitated heightened monitoring of several dams.
The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) was activated on 10 April and Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency due to rising water levels at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex. The SEOC remained activated to support response and recovery operations until 8 May.
Amid the ongoing statewide flooding, Director of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), Phil Roos, joined other officials on a dam safety tour across mid-Michigan. They assessed conditions at several facilities including the Hesperia, White Cloud, Hardy, and Croton dams.
“It was important to come out today and see these dams firsthand and to thank our dam safety unit and state and local responders for the exceptional work they’re doing,” Roos said. “As flooding continues to impact communities across Michigan, the work of our dam safety unit has never been more important. Our team has been on the ground every day monitoring conditions, advising dam owners, and helping communities stabilise their structures. We are deeply grateful for their expertise and commitment to public safety.”
Close coordination with emergency managers and dam owners was key to helping prevent overtopping and other failures during this flooding event. As water levels began to recede and inspections were carried out, the collaboration continued.
Dam failings
Michigan is home to more than 2500 public and private dams, with approximately 1000 falling under state regulation. Many of them were originally constructed in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Although the state has invested US$44.5m through its Dam Risk Reduction Programme since 2021, estimates suggest an additional US$1bn is required for necessary dam safety upgrades to reduce risk to local communities.
Greater investment on dam safety was prompted by a similar flood event in May 2020 which led to the failure of both the Edenville and Sanford Dams on the Tittabawassee River in central Michigan. Ten thousand people had to be evacuated from their homes, with damages totalling more than US$200m.
Once again with the recent flooding events this year, dam safety was brought back into the spotlight. Acknowledging that although historic investments have already been made to repair and remove ageing dams across the state, EGLE Director Phil Rooss added that tools to support dam safety, such as legislation, now need to be strengthened
Legal move
Prompted by the Edenville and Sanford Dam failures, landmark safety reforms were introduced by Rep. Bill Schuette at the beginning of 2026 as House Bill 5485. This legislation aim is to:
- Expand state oversight and modernise regulations to better protect communities from flooding and infrastructure failure.
- Require dam owners to register and plan ahead, including comprehensive safety, inspection and asset management strategies.
- Increase inspection frequency and accountability to identify risks earlier and timely action.
- Raise design and safety standards so dams can better withstand extreme weather and changing climate conditions.
- Create new funding and emergency response tools, including a dedicated emergency fund and grant program to address high-risk dams.
In July 2026 both Michigan legislative chambers voted in favour of the Bill, giving the go ahead to start overhauling existing dam safety laws and channelling necessary funds for upgrades and repairs.
“This is a massive win for our state and how we protect those who live downstream of our more than one hundred high hazard dams,” Schuette said.
“We don’t want to see another situation like what happened with the Edenville and Sanford dams wreak havoc on other communities in our state. This will give us the opportunity to be proactive, recognise where there is a problem and facilitate changes,” he added.
And with climate change prompting more extreme weather events, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow said although “we just have to accept that this is the new normal,” the state’s infrastructure needs to be prepared for it.
