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We start with an updated look at island road conditions. At last report yesterday afternoon from Peaine Township Supervisor Maria Dal Pra East Side Drive was still passable, but problems are worsening in spots. Washouts remain at Nomad’s Corner, with deeper water and damage reported north of Kilty’s Point, where a culvert is now exposed. Water is also covering the road near Wicklow Beach, with a submerged hole creating hazards. Reporting back from her review trip, Maria urged extreme caution, as conditions continue to change with ongoing snowmelt and recent rains.
Flooding on West Side Drive and the South End Lighthouse grounds yesterday afternoon. Photo by Maria Dal Pra posted on Facebook
In St. James Township, a concern has been the Font Lake drain. There were reports that it was blocked, but latest reports are that is open and flowing well.
On the mainland, flooding concerns continue. In Cheboygan where the dam has been causing concern, an evacuation order was issued Tuesday—but due to a levee breach along the Little Black River watershed, not the dam itself. Authorities ordered residents in low-lying areas to leave as water levels rose quickly. The Cheboygan Dam itself remains under close watch, with officials still urging residents nearby to be ready to evacuate if conditions worsen.
In Antrim County, crews are actively working on the Bellaire Dam after seepage was discovered at the base of the berm. Officials say water levels have risen, but remain below overflow, and sandbags and emergency repairs are in place while crews monitor conditions around the clock. Residents downstream are being urged to have evacuation plans ready as conditions remain unpredictable.
In Traverse City, flooding continues along the Boardman River, with damage reported at the FishPass construction site and nearby areas. Beitner Road is closed between River Road and U.S. 31 at Chums Corner, that after the bridge at Beitner Park failed. South Airport Road is also closed between Park and Cass. Officials say high water and runoff are straining infrastructure across the city.
In Emmet County, part of the Tunnel of Trees remains closed after a culvert failure washed out a section of M-119, with no timeline yet for repairs.
Amidst all of this, Bridge Michigan reports the problems at the Cheboygan Dam are being worsened by long-standing issues. The dam complex includes an aging structure and a privately owned powerhouse that’s been offline since a 2023 fire, cutting water flow capacity by up to 30 percent. Federal regulators ordered repairs and a plan to restore operations months ago, but repeated extensions delayed action. Now, with flooding nearing historic levels, crews are working around the clock to bring the powerhouse back online and increase flow, as officials warn the system was never designed to handle a flood of this magnitude. #Government #Transportation #Mainland Travel
On the Island there at least one beaver seems to be enjoying the high water. Trish McMillan caught one taking a dip and nibbling on treats in high water at the corner of Donnel Mor’s Lane and Sloptown Road. There’s a link to the video she posted in today’s script online. https://www.facebook.com/1038983835/videos/pcb.26769977502627631/2002455210345117
Mr. Beaver takes a dip in the floodwater. Watch out for him near the corner of Donnel Mor’s and Sloptown. Image capture from Trish McMillans video on Facebook |
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Now here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
Saint James Planning Commissions meets today at 10:00 a.m. Their township board has a special meeting set for tomorrow at 5:00. Library Board meets tomorrow as well at 4:30 as does the J-TAC, again at 4:30. A-A meets Thursday and Saturday at 6:00. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front today…
Wednesday, there’s BINGO at 1:00 at the BIC Center. And at 5:00 it’s Time for Art, at the BIC Center. This week the second of three sessions on creating plaster molds led by Cindy Ricksgers.
Thursday Women’s Bible Study is on at 10:00 at the Christian Church. There’s Pickleball at the BIC Center at 10:00 in the Theater. At 10:30 up in the Hangout there’s Senior Tai Chi. Thursday evening, there’s Pickleball at 5:00 in the Theater at the BIC Center. Afterwards, you can grab the burger & a beer special at the Shamrock starting at 5:00, and its Euchre Night down at Whiskey Point Brewing. Cards hit the table at 7:00.
[Thursday evening on the radio, drop in for W-V-B-I’s newest music show. It’s The Underground with Leila Freijy. It’s the underground sound of grunge and more from the 80s and 90s with special features every week. Tune in at 7:00 for two hours Underground.]
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
Friday, Senior + Vets Coffee & Donuts is at the BIC Center from 9:00 to 11:00. There’s Pickleball at 10:00 and Chair Strength Training at 10:30.
[On the radio, Kick off your weekend with our fantastic Friday lineup! After the 6:00pm news, enjoy “That Thing with Rich Appel” featuring top forty hits from the 70s. At 9:00pm, tune into “The Titus Jennings Experience” offering music from all genres, followed by “The Midnight Special” with Marilyn Rea Beyer at 11:00pm for music, farce comedy, and late-night escape.]
Saturday, the Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 1:00. No movies at the BIC Center this Saturday, but it will be open for fun in the Hangout, snacks and meals. And, remember, Saturdays are Prime Rib Night at the Shamrock.
[On the radio, tune in for Country Classics at 5:00 Saturday evening with host Sheri Timsak. At 7:00, take a trip back to the best of the 80s and 90s with the Mix Tape show (that’s a 120-minute TDK cassette tape for those in the know) hosted by WVBI’s Adam Pettigrew. Mark Beltaire takes over at 9:00 with Rockin’ the Boat and continues at 10:00 with the Blues Cruise. Cousin Dan wraps up the evening with the Too Good Radio Show starting at 11:00.]
Sunday, there are services at the Christian Church at 10:00 and mass at Holy Cross at 12:15.
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
Monday evening is All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Shamrock.
Tuesday at 10:00, Babes & Toddlers mix it up at the library and there is Pickleball in the Theater at the BIC Center and, at 10:30, there’s Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout. At 2:15 there’s a Home School Meet-up at the library. Tuesday evening is trivia time at the BIC Center. Let’s Get Quizzical starts at 6:00 p.m. Sign your team up at tickets dot bic center dot org. |
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Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Carina. If that’s your name, come on it to the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice. |
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On our Birthday List today: Glen LaFreniere. Happy Birthday to Glen and if we missed you on the list Happy Birthday to you too from everyone at the BIC Center and WVBI. |
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TRAFFIC: No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. The Island Beltway is still rough and there is the flooding plus the washouts on East Side Drive. But, no bridge delays. Let’s be careful out there, especially in the school zone. |
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On this date in 1865, Abraham Lincoln dies after being shot the night before at Ford’s Theatre. The president was attending the play Our American Cousin when actor John Wilkes Booth fires a single shot. Lincoln is carried across the street to a boarding house, where he passes away nine hours later. The nation mourns as the Civil War draws to a close, and Lincoln’s death leaves a lasting mark on American history—just days after he calls for healing and unity.
A lithograph depicting the death of Abraham Lincoln by F.P. Whiting. Image from Smithsonian Archives |
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Our Merriam-Webster Word of the Day is resilient (adjective) [rih-ZIL-yunt] meaning able to recover quickly from challenges. It’s a word we’re hearing a lot right now, as communities deal with high water and changing conditions, showing strength and the ability to bounce back. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Wednesday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from President Lincoln on being resilient: “I am a slow walker, but I never walk back.” |
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On a lighter note: With all this high water… I tried to make a joke about flooding—but it just didn’t hold water. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Wednesday, April 15th, 2026. Until then, I’m Kevin Boyle reporting from W-V-B-I’s Langford Family Studios wishing you a great day and asking: why not go ahead and make it the best day ever? And Thanks for listening. |
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Today A 10 percent chance of showers after 5pm. Widespread dense fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 43/48. East wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Tonight A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 2am. Patchy fog before 11pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight. Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44/48. North wind around 10 mph. Thursday Night Patchy fog after 11pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Friday Partly sunny, with a high near 49/52. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Friday Night Showers, mainly after 2am. Low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Saturday Showers, mainly before 2pm. High near 47/49. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Saturday Night A chance of rain and snow showers before 2am, then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Breezy. Sunday A chance of snow showers before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34/36. Breezy. Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Blustery. Monday Sunny, with a high near 40. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Breezy. Tuesday Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Breezy. |
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Out on the Big Drink … |
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Today Variable winds 5 kt or less. A slight chance of showers after 1pm. Areas of dense fog. Waves 1 ft or less. Thursday NNE wind 5 to 10 kt. A chance of showers, mainly between 7am and 1pm. Waves 1 ft or less. Friday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Partly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. |
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Air Quality Index at 6:30 this morning was 8. |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
High water contnues to cause problems on the Island and across northern Michigan—roads washing out, dams under pressure, and even evacuations on the mainland. We’ll have the latest conditions, closures, and what you need to know…that plus a run-down of local events, birthdays and more after global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.] |
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Today’s Featured Image: Mr. Beaver takes a dip in the floodwater. Watch out for him near the corner of Donnel Mor’s and Sloptown. Image capture from Trish McMillans video on Facebook |
