Water is creeping up the Bellaire Dam and Antrim County is not taking any chances.
County officials said Monday that seepage at the base of the dam has allowed water to rise toward the top of the structure, triggering sandbagging operations and evacuation readiness for homes downstream on the Intermediate River. Crews are now watching the dam around the clock as heavy rain and melting snow swell flows across the Chain of Lakes.
At a county briefing, engineers confirmed that seepage was spotted in the dam’s earthen berm, with water sitting at roughly 18 inches below the crest. Crews placed pre-filled sandbags along the structure Monday afternoon and planned to bring in more today, to stage directly on the berm. Access to the immediate area has been restricted while work is underway, and officials said any evacuation alert for downstream residents would be pushed out through the county’s RAVE notification system if conditions deteriorate, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Antrim County Public Information Officer Janet Koch urged residents below the dam to pack a “go bag” with medications, key documents, and other essentials and to pay attention to the county’s ready-set-go thresholds that spell out what to do as water levels approach the crest. “Make sure you have everything you need for a go bag,” Koch told WCMU, adding that sheriff’s deputies may go door to door to reach at-risk households if evacuation orders are issued.
The National Weather Service office in Gaylord has issued a flood watch that covers Antrim County and much of northern Lower Michigan through Wednesday. Forecasters cited more rain on top of rapid snowmelt that could push rivers and creeks to critical levels. That regional alert adds another layer of concern as county crews scramble to shore up the Bellaire Dam and protect neighborhoods downstream, according to the National Weather Service.
Dam history and recent funding
The Bellaire Dam dates back to the 1890s and has long been flagged in inspections as a high-hazard structure, with extended earthen embankments and concrete spillways that demand regular monitoring and periodic repairs. The site drew targeted state support in 2024 when the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy awarded a Dam Risk Reduction Grant to study and plan upgrades aimed at seepage issues and outlet structures. Those engineering studies, outlined by Michigan EGLE and county officials, helped shape the emergency playbook now being used on the ground.
How officials are responding
On-site, county crews have shut down public access to the dam, moved in heavy equipment, and stacked pre-filled sandbags to reinforce the berm while they work on targeted repairs to relieve the seepage. Engineers are also evaluating what longer-term fixes will be needed once the current high water threat passes.
Residents who live below the dam have been urged to sign up for RAVE alerts, sketch out evacuation plans, and stay ready to leave on short notice. The Antrim County Sheriff’s Office said deputies may notify at-risk households in person if evacuation orders are issued, according to local reporting by The Ticker.
Officials said updates will be posted on county emergency channels and the Village of Bellaire’s social media pages while crews work. Public information officers have shared contact details and repeated the reminder to have a plan in place not just for family members but for pets as well, per reporting by WCMU. Residents are being urged to follow only official alerts for any future evacuation orders.
