Message from the Department of Natural Resources

Message from the Department of Natural Resources regarding water level fluctuations on the Cheboygan River:

As we head into summer, boaters and residents along the Inland Waterway may experience larger water level fluctuations, especially in the Cheboygan River and Mullet Lake.

In September 2023, a fire at the Great Lakes Tissue plant led to the shutdown of the plant’s hydroelectric generator. The hydroelectric generation facility can account for up to approximately 30% of the capacity of water passed out of the mouth of the Cheboygan River into Lake Huron. It’s undetermined if or when it will be back in operation.

The facility played a key role in water level management because it made “fine-tuned” incremental adjustments. Moving forward, the DNR will continue to monitor daily water levels and must exclusively use the six gates at the Cheboygan Dam to manage water levels.

Please click on this link to the DNR’s website for more information: Mullett Lake and the Inland Waterway (michigan.gov)

Posted on May 29th, 2024 in Announcements.