Major Flooding Threatens Upper Peninsula Rivers as Snow Melts
Flood warnings blanket Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as snowmelt and rain push rivers to dangerous levels, threatening roads and homes.
MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN — Flood warnings and advisories remain active across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as heavy rain on deep snowpack causes rapid river rises, threatening major flood levels along several waterways.
The National Weather Service in Marquette issued flood warnings for eight rivers across Houghton, Baraga, Marquette, Dickinson, Delta, and Iron counties, with some flooding expected to continue through early next week. The Sturgeon River near Alston and Michigamme River systems face the most severe threat, with forecasters upgrading conditions from moderate to major flooding severity.
Critical River Levels Expected
The Michigamme River near Republic reached 8.1 feet at 8:00 AM Friday, nearing the 8.4-foot bankfull stage. Water has begun impacting yards of homes near Bengtson bridge on County Road LI in South Republic, according to the weather service. At 10.0 feet, portions of County Roads 601, LE and LG will experience significant flooding.
The Paint River at Crystal Falls presents another major concern, with minor flooding already occurring and moderate flooding forecast through Tuesday evening. At 12:30 PM Friday, the East Branch Escanaba River at Gwinn measured 7.2 feet, above its 6.0-foot bankfull stage. When the river reaches 7.9 feet, water will reach the bottom girder of the M-35 bridge.
Widespread Impact Across Region
The Chocolay River near Harvey is expected to crest at 10.2 feet early Saturday afternoon, causing water to inundate the entire parking lot at the M-28 bridge and submerge the fishing pier. Low-lying areas along Timber Lane and Riverside Road downstream of the river gauge will also flood.
The Middle Branch Escanaba River at Humboldt poses risks to County Road FX, which begins flooding at 6.5 feet. A residence at 1068 County Road FX will begin flooding when the river reaches 8.3 feet. The Sturgeon River near Chassell affects both Houghton and Baraga counties, with flooding continuing through the weekend.
Weather Conditions Clear
Dense fog that reduced visibility to one-quarter mile or less across Alger, Delta, Dickinson, Menominee, Northern Schoolcraft, and Southern Schoolcraft counties has largely cleared. The fog advisory that was in effect until 2:00 PM Friday has been lifted as conditions improved throughout the afternoon.
The National Weather Service warns that rain falling on the deep, primed snowpack will accelerate snowmelt, causing river flows to increase quickly and reach critical levels. Flood warnings extend through various dates, with the longest lasting until April 22 for some river systems.
Residents in affected areas should monitor local conditions closely and avoid driving through flooded roadways. The weather service emphasizes that just six inches of moving water can knock down an adult, and 12 inches can carry away a vehicle.
