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With temperatures starting to rise, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is concerned about spring runoff on state designated trails in Houghton County.
The melting snow poses potential for new flooding in areas impacted by last summer’s disastrous floods.
DNR Officials will be flying reconnaissance flights over the former railroad grades, which have been used for many years as state-designated off-road vehicle and snowmobile trails.
However, the DNR is looking for reports from the public should any potential problems arise, including pooling of water upstream of designated trails and in areas where it does not naturally occur, new washouts, new slumping of the trail grades and blocked water flow on existing structures such as storm drains and culverts.
“We want to know about any of these potential problems should they occur so that we can respond appropriately,” said Matt Torreano, a DNR Parks and Recreation Division easements and lands analyst in Marquette. “Reports from the public will enhance our flight reconnaissance efforts.”
After working constantly to repair damage created by two historic rainfall and flooding events last summer, the DNR still has many sections of trail washouts to rebuild before some trails, or trail segments, can be reopened for recreational use.
For the latest information on the closures of trails and other DNR facilities, visit Michigan.gov/DNRClosures.
For emergency situations, call 9-1-1.
To report spring runoff concerns in Houghton County, contact Matt Torreano, DNR easements and lands analyst, at 906-226-1342 or John Pepin, DNR deputy public information officer, at 906-250-7260.
