Critical repairs to the Cheboygan Lock, managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and located in the city of Cheboygan, will prompt the early closure of this seasonal facility.
The lock closure will begin at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, with an anticipated reopening date of May 17, 2025.
During the same period, the adjacent Lincoln Street Boating Access Site also will temporarily close because it will be used as a staging area for construction materials and equipment.
“Due to necessary repairs, the Cheboygan Lock will close earlier than usual this year,” said Kevin Taylor, Cheboygan Field Office supervisor for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “These upgrades are essential to maintain the safe operation of the lock and ensure future access to the Inland Waterway and Lake Huron.”
The $5.96 million project will involve major renovations, including dewatering the lock chamber for concrete repairs to the floor and wall, replacing the miter gate sills, assessing and repairing the gates and upgrading the hydraulic system.
Built in 1869, the Cheboygan Lock provides seasonal access to Michigan’s Inland Waterway for recreational and commercial watercraft up to 16 feet wide and 75 feet long. The lock holds 117,000 gallons of water and lowers and raises the Cheboygan River up to 16 feet. More than 3,000 watercraft passed through the lock during the 2023 season.
Boaters, plan ahead
Due to the early closure of the Cheboygan Lock, the DNR encourages boaters and marinas to schedule accordingly. If boaters need to pass through the lock to move their boats to marinas or to take them out of the water for storage, it must be done before 5 p.m. Sept. 29.
Anyone planning to access the lock in the early 2025 season is encouraged to visit Michigan.gov/DNRClosures to view any changes to the anticipated reopening date.
For more information, contact the DNR Cheboygan Field Office at 231-627-9011.
