Cheboygan locks and dam to be upgraded by Michigan Department of Natural Resources

CHEBOYGAN — The locks and dam system on the Cheboygan River, just north of Lincoln Avenue, will receive a full upgrade in the near future by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division Landscape Architect and Regional Field Planner Keith Cheli said there is not a formal start date for the proposed improvements to the locks and dam. The DNR is currently going through the permitting process for the project, as well as getting the design plans and contract documents completed.

"It is anticipated that the duration for the full facility upgrade as proposed would be completed over approximately an eight month time frame," said Cheli.

The work being proposed to be completed on the Cheboygan Dam and Locks is estimated to cost around $7 million and includes an automation of the dam gate system, a full rehabilitation of the lock system and its chamber, as well as upgrades to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

The project will also include the replacement of the downstream tail rail's west wall. The DNR will also potentially be doing a redevelopment of the riverbank gabion baskets —woven steel, wire mesh structures filled with stones which can be used for things such as river bank protection — which will be on the opposite side of the lower Cheboygan River. This will all be done after the normal summer boating season, beginning sometime in the fall. The work will be done through the winter and completed in the spring.

While all of this work is being completed, the Cheboygan River will remain open to boaters and others who are using the river. It does not need to be closed to have the work completed safely. The water flows of the river will also not be affected.

"The goal for the project is to continue to provide responsible, proactive infrastructure management that will allow for an uninterrupted level of public service and associated environmental management in a meaningful, functional and safe fashion," said Cheli.

The Cheboygan Dam and Locks were first constructed beginning in 1868, and finished in 1869. This was done after the Cheboygan Slack Water Navigation Company was formed due to an act of state legislature on March 25, 1867.

"The original function of the dam and locks was to raise the Cheboygan River water level for moving raw lumber down river to the sawmills in the City of Cheboygan for processing, and to aid in navigation," said Cheli.

Cheli said all built infrastructure requires continual monitoring and occasional analysis to prepare proactively for operational upgrades and infrastructure recapitalization. The DNR's Parks and Recreation Department initiated a baseline study of the lock structure a few years ago to lay the groundwork for a progressive and holistic upgrade of the lock system.

"No major issues have been identified through our analysis and preliminary design. although there have been recurring challenges with some lock operation components that can, at time, provide a disruption and inconvenience to the boating public during the primary boating season," said Cheli. "However, as noted, the lock infrastructure is due for a complete renovation to ensure that continuation of reliable public service and boat passage will continue."

Annually, there are around 4,000 boats using the Cheboygan Locks system. The structures are used by commercial boating traffic, as well as private users.

"The DNR Parks and Recreation Division understands the value of the lock and dam infrastructure to Cheboygan County, the City of Cheboygan, the public and the outdoor enthusiast from around the United States that come to enjoy the related and comprehensive outdoor recreation benefits that this unique system of infrastructure provides including the significant regional economic contributions," said Cheli.

When all of the plan designs have been put together, the project will be put out for competitive bids on the open market to get contractors to submit proposals to complete the work.

Cheli said the exact funding sources for the project have still yet to be determined, but the DNR's Parks and Recreation Division will be pursuing grant funding through the federal Land and Water Conservation organization. A portion of the funding may also come from the DNR's State Waterways fund.

The City of Cheboygan and the Cheboygan County Board of Commissioners both voiced support for this project through letters written, as many local government officials feel this is a valuable piece of infrastructure to the area.

"The locks, the dam, it is so important to the economy of this part of Michigan," said Cheboygan County Commissioner Curtis Chambers. "I can't stress that enough how much I support this. This is a huge part of the economy for the marina itself, for all the inland marinas, the gas stations, motels. Like 4,000 people a year go through that locks. It's incredible."

Chambers said there are around 4,000 boats that go through the locks each year, with an average of 4.7 people on each boat. This totals up to a lot of money going through the lock system per season, coming to the area.

Contact Features Writer Kortny Hahn at khahn1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @khahnCDT.

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Michigan DNR to add improvements to Cheboygan locks and dam