 flooded road (photo by jhy) |
from a news release of the Michigan DNR
As a record volume of water driven by snowmelt and spring rain brings water levels in Michigan to unusually high levels, many oads and trails throughout the western part of the state are flooded, some closed.
The situation is approaching critical at the Cheboygan Dam with emergency measures being taken to try to divert water around the dam, but even more rain is expected this week, and people in the danger zone are being told to prepare to evacuate if water overtops the dam, as failure may be possible. However, the Cheboygan County Sheriffs Department urges residents to rely on official sources of information.
What are good safety practices with this high water?
Resist the urge to fish, explore or put a watercraft in floodwaters or swollen rivers.
“Higher waters can cause fast-flowing currents, deeper and colder water, unpredictable conditions and more debris floating under the water’s surface, especially on rivers,” said Jen Wolf, acting assistant chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement Division.
Throughout the season, any boat, regardless of size, must be equipped with a personal flotation device for each person on board.
Here are additional tips from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for dealing with standing or flowing spring floodwaters:
• Do not walk, wade or try to swim in floodwaters. Floodwaters may be contaminated with bacteria, hazardous waste or chemicals.
• Floodwaters may cover live, downed electrical lines which could cause a fatal shock.
• Stay away from lakes and rivers when water is high. With soft ground, you can lose your footing and slip into water.
• If you are driving and water is over the road, turn around. Six inches of water is enough to lose control of your vehicle.
Additional tips for hikers-
• be extremely cautious at water crossings that must be forded
• consider what might have washed into normally clean water sources- you may need to prefilter water, and agricultural runoff can pollute streams with nitrates which many filters will not remove
• if roads to trailheads are under water, change your plans.
• remember that hypothermia can set in faster if you are wet
The Cheboygan, AuSable and Manistee Rivers are all under flood watch conditions.
See more safety info from the Michigan DNR
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