North America |
Michigan’s dam safety lessons
Greater investment and a legislative push for improved safety are taking place across Michigan in the wake of recent dam failures
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.
Construction of the new Sandford Dam to replace the one that failed in 2020 after severe flooding across Michigan. Image: Matthew G Eddy/
Shutterstock.com
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
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.
Croton Dam on the Muskegon River. Image: Zachary Graft/
Shutterstock.com
18 | September 2026 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45
