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Hesperia Dam Faces Possible Failure as Flooding Hits Western Michigan, Officials Warn
Emergency crews removed stop logs to lower river levels as officials warned the dam could breach and 15 agencies joined the response.
On Wednesday, emergency crews lowered water levels at the Hesperia Dam to prevent failure as the White River remains under a Flash Flood Watch in western Michigan.
Severe storms since Monday triggered rising water levels, which reached 6.84 inches below the dam's top by Wednesday afternoon, prompting officials to warn of potential structural failure.
Local residents including 15-year-old baseball player Landyn Thompson assisted with sandbagging efforts, while the Hesperia Sports Shop halted operations due to hazardous water conditions.
Village President Mike Farber noted that crews removed boards to secure the dam, stating, "we could have breached the dam," though evacuation remains possible if water reaches 1 inch below the top.
Regional concerns extend beyond Hesperia, as officials monitor the Bellaire Dam and advise Cheboygan River corridor residents to prepare for possible evacuations amid ongoing flooding threats.