Issue With Dam Causes Boat Access Closure in Gogebic County

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy are advising the public to steer clear of the boating access site at Black River Dam in Gogebic County. Since the end of June, the DNR had reports of extremely low water levels at Black River Lake. The dam, just south of Ironwood was failing due to a stoplog in the control structure on the lakes north side, which caused the dam to slowly drain. It appeared that the stoplog had failed around the same time as a heavy rainstorm in the area. The dam continues to hold and the DNR and EGLE are investigating the next steps in management of the facility.