The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said critical repairs to the Cheboygan Lock means it will close early this season.
The lock, located in Cheboygan, will close at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29. It’s anticipated to reopen next year on May 17.
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.
“These upgrades are essential to maintain the safe operation of the lock and ensure future access to the Inland Waterway and Lake Huron,” said Kevin Taylor, Cheboygan Field Office supervisor for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division.
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.
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. 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.
Visit Michigan.gov/DNRClosures for information about the 2025 season or contact the DNR Cheboygan Field Office at 231-627-9011.