Bat in Emmet County Positive for Rabies

bat (photo from Michigan Field Guide)

compiled from several sources, primarily the Michigan Health Department

A bat in Emmet County, Michigan, has tested positive for rabies. This comes hard on the heels of a boy who died of rabies in an exposure from a bat in Ontario, Canada. The fatal encounter was the result of a bat landing on the boy's face. There did not appear to be any broken skin, but no medical attention was sought, and although rabies can be stopped from developing with prompt treatment, once the disease develops, it is almost always fatal.

There have been no human cases of rabies associated with the Emmet County incident.

“Typically, less than 1% of wild bats in Michigan carry rabies,” says Dr. Josh Meyerson, Health Department of Northwest Michigan Medical Director. “While the infection rate is low, bats are the primary source of rabies in the state, making up about 90% of all reported animal rabies cases. If you believe you or a family member may have been exposed to a bat, it's important to have the bat tested whenever possible. Prompt testing can help determine whether preventive treatment is needed.”

Bat bites and scratches can be small and difficult to detect, and an exposure may have occurred if a bat is found:
• In a room with a sleeping person
• Near an unsupervised child
• With a person who is mentally impaired or intoxicated
• In direct contact with a pet or person

If any of these situations occur, do not release the bat. Keeping the bat for testing may prevent unnecessary rabies treatment. Although rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, it is entirely preventable with prompt medical care after an exposure.

See Health Department pdf concerning bat exposures


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Destructive Rains Close Locations on Tunnel of Trees

tunnel of trees (photo by Ami Woods)

from M-Live

The popular 22-mile stretch of M-119 in Emmett County, Michigan, often called the Tunnel of Trees has suffered significant damage in the recent heavy rains. The route is popular for sightseers and bicyclists as it closely follows the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Up to six inches of rain fell in a very short window of time this past month, and drainage structures were overwhelmed.

The following sections are severely affected:
• M-119 at Middle Village Drive: MDOT advises avoiding this area, but it remains open
• Just south of Middle Village Drive: Closed due to a washout
• Devil’s Elbow: Closed due to a washout
• M-119 at South Lamkin Road: Closed due to a washout
• Horseshoe Bend: Closed due to a washout

All the above places are concentrated in a small area between Middle Village Drive and Stutsmanville Road.

A section just south of Stutsmanville road has been closed since April, and has been named the "southern slope failure." And at Division Road between Good Hart and Cross Village a washout has closed another section since April.

The Federal govenment has pledged $32 million in disaster relief to help with repairs.

See Detroit Free Press


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EXTRA- Pine River Safety Alert

graphic from Manistee National Forest

a news release of Manistee National Forest

The Huron-Manistee National Forests is strongly cautioning anglers and paddlers to consider not navigating the waters of the Pine River this weekend.

A massive logjam between Peterson's Bridge and Low Bridge River Accesses has made navigation dangerous in the swift moving waters. Logjams were also reported at Dobson Bridge upstream from Peterson's Bridge. Logjams also pose additional risks to river recreation users.

• Water passing through logjams traps solid objects, posing higher drowning risks for kayakers and canoers.
• Redirect water flow, often causing intense erosion on stream banks, which can lead to unstable banks.
• Accumulated debris can block bridges and culverts, triggering severe flooding, forcing water onto roads sometimes causing them to fail.
• Portage can become difficult or impossible.
• Flow of water can be at a higher velocity.
• Potential to have watercraft puncture by submersed debris.
• Surfaces with heavy silt or sand can be water saturated and react like quicksand.

See more at Safety Alerts


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Extra- Cheboygan Waterways Closed Until May 8

warning for Cheboygan waterways (graphic from Cheboygan County Sheriff)

from Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office

By order of the Coast Guard three waterways in Cheboygan County are closed to boat traffic until May 8, 2026. This includes the Cheboygan River, Black River, and Indian River.

Lakes are open to boaters, but extreme caution is urged. High water and significant debris are the biggest issues.


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Use Caution and Common Sense in Flooded Areas

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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Hazard from the Sky?

helicopter aerial groundwater survey (photo from EGLE)

primarily from a news release of EGLE

Hikers and other people working or recreating outdoors may see low-flying helicopters over the 16 southwest counties of Michigan from April through the summer of 2026.

Low-flying helicopters with strange-looking equipment will soon soar over 16 counties in Southwest Michigan to help scientists better understand and protect Michigan’s groundwater. Led by the USGS Water Resources Survey and EGLE, the survey uses airborne technology to map underground geology and aquifers. This reveals how much groundwater exists, how it moves, and how it connects to rivers and streams—supporting better-informed decisions about managing Michigan’s water.

Groundwater supplies drinking water for millions, supports agriculture, and keeps rivers flowing. While Michigan’s reserves are massive—comparable to a “sixth Great Lake”—they’re not unlimited. This work provides the data needed to manage this vital resource for the long term.

The daylight-only flights completed by specially trained pilots will avoid densely populated areas and will not pass over buildings at low altitude. The work poses no risk to humans, animals, or plant life and does not collect photos or videos.

The cooperative study is expected to provide a better understanding of bedrock depth and give us additional data about aquifer systems in southwest Michigan, which will result in better informed decisions about managing Michigan’s groundwater resources.

Personal note from jhy: I was hiking beneath a helicopter-towed aerial trimming saw a few years ago. That certainly did not feel safe, but this apparatus should not cause any distress for hikers, bikers, or paddlers.

See the link above for more, and a map of the survey area.


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