When Michigan’s Edenville and Sanford dams collapsed in 2020, they exposed a major problem: the state had some of the weakest dam safety rules in the country. The failures caused major flooding and triggered additional scares at old, undersized dams across Michigan. Experts pointed to weak standards that allowed private owners to poorly maintain their structures.
Michigan’s dam safety rules are considered the weakest in the nation. High-hazard dams are inspected as infrequently as every three years. They’re also only required to handle half of what’s called the “probable maximum flood,” which is the worst possible flood scientists can estimate. Neighboring states have stricter rules. A significant portion, potentially two-thirds, of Michigan’s approximately 2,600 dams are over 50 years old and haven’t been adequately upgraded. The state also has low staffing and poor coordination between federal and state agencies.
The numbers are alarming. More than 160 high-hazard dams are regulated by the state, and around 15% are reported in poor condition or unrated. Nearly 100 lower-hazard dams are reportedly also in poor shape. Then, in April 2026, mass flooding hit Michigan hard. Roads collapsed, homes flooded, and multiple dams were stressed. Five dams failed, and six more were in critical condition.
Lawmakers are now pushing for change. A House committee is reviewing bills that would require high-hazard dams to be inspected every year instead of every three years. They’d also need to handle the full probable maximum flood. Lower-hazard dams would face stricter rules too. House Bill 5485 would update regulations, improve owner accountability, create new funding, and address climate change risks.
Funding is a big challenge. Experts estimate Michigan may need up to $1 billion to fix its dams. After the 2020 failures, the state put up $50 million for repairs and $6 million for emergencies. But that’s not enough. Many dam owners don’t have the money to make upgrades. The Michigan Dam Safety Task Force, which sent recommendations to Governor Whitmer and the legislature, identified the investment levels needed. Lawmakers are still searching for more funding sources. Many of Michigan’s dams are privately owned but still provide public benefits such as flood control, stable lake levels, and recreation. However, even as reform legislation advances, House lawmakers are simultaneously considering steep cuts to EGLE, the agency responsible for regulating dam safety, including reductions to its dam safety unit staffing.
References
- https://bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/michigan-lawmakers-ponder-dam-safety-reforms-but-ask-who-will-pay/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/michigans-latest-dam-safety-crisis-revives-calls-for-reforms-funding/
- https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/groups/mdstf
- https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2026-04-29/state-officials-push-for-dam-safety-legislation-following-mass-flooding
