As uptick in intense weather threatens infrastructure, legislation would make long overdue changes to strengthen state’s aging dams, improve operations
LANSING, Mich. (May 7, 2026) — Today, Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) introduced legislation to shore up the state’s inadequate dam safety laws to keep homes, businesses, and communities across Michigan safe from disasters. Senate Bill 947 comes as a response to a recent series of severe weather events forcing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to declare a state of emergency on over 30 counties across Michigan, including intense flooding threatening the failure of the Cheboygan dam and posing serious risks to the community.
“From the latest headlines to results of numerous reports, we know that we must act to address Michigan’s aging dams before more lives are threatened and homes are destroyed,” said Sen. McMorrow. “As the consequences of climate change continue to bring us heavier rainfall and unpredictable flooding, my legislation is a no-brainer. By putting safeguards in place to ensure our infrastructure is strong enough to weather the storms ahead, this bill would prevent other Michigan communities from experiencing the destruction that overburdened dams caused Midland in 2020, and the danger posed to people and homes in Cheboygan these past couple of weeks.”
This legislation closely mirrors recommendations outlined in reports from a government task force and an independent review following the 2020 dam failures in Mid-Michigan. To ensure Michigan’s roughly 2,600 dams get the repairs, updates, and oversight they need, Sen. McMorrow’s legislation calls for:’
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Strengthened regulatory requirements for high- and significant-hazard dams;
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Licensing of dams every 15 years, requiring all dams to go through this registration process;
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Increased inspection frequency;
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Improved design requirements;
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Dam owners to maintain and update certain operations and maintenance records, including plans related to emergencies, surveillance, and monitoring;
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Increased permitting fees; and
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Expanded data sharing between the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
In response to the 2020 Midland dam failures that destroyed roughly 150 homes and businesses, caused the evacuation of over 10,000 people, and led to about $250 million in damage, Michigan convened both an independent review and the Michigan Dam Safety Task Force to identify needs and recommendations to bolster the state’s aging dams. Resulting in similar findings, their reports all pointed to the need for Michigan’s dams to receive immediate attention, with the majority of state dams having exceeded their intended 50-year lifespan. Another report released just last year estimated that Michigan’s dams need at least $1 billion in updates.
This legislation now heads to the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment for consideration.
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