The record setting snowfall in February and March set the stage for flooding in April. During February and March of 2002, north-central and western parts of Upper Michigan received over 100 inches of snowfall. The snow pack held over 11 inches of water. The snow quickly melted during a 6 day period, 11-17 April 2002, releasing all that water into the creeks, streams. rivers and lakes. To exacerbate the situation, over 2 inches of rainfall occurred 10-12 April over much of Upper Michigan, and record high temperatures in the 70s and 80 were recorded on the 15th and 16th. During those two days, a dramatic snow melt occurred with  nearly 2 feet of snow melting away. To complicate matters further, moderate rain during the morning of the 18th and severe thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening dumped up to an additional 1 1/2 inches of water over an already saturated and flooded Upper Peninsula.Following the rain and warm temperatures, streams and  rivers  began to rise and overflow. Many local and county roads were closed due to high water and several dams were in jeopardy of failing. Localized flooding of low lying areas was common across the western and central Upper Peninsula. Major flooding on rivers and lakes occurred in 8 Upper Michigan counties.Gogebic County was the hardest hit. A state of emergency was declared by the Governor, and the county was later declared a disaster area. The towns of Ironwood and Wakefield sustained the greatest damage. Approximately 160 homes and businesses were affected by the rising waters. Major highways US-2, M-28, and M-64 were closed and 25 local and county roads were also closed due to high water. The Black, Montreal and  Ontonagon Rivers all went above flood stage.  A partial failure of the Presque Isle Wildlife Dam occurred on the Presque Isle River. Heavy rains and rapid melting of the snowpack this spring contributed to the collapse of a 10 feet wide section of the earthen portion of the dam.  This partial failure caused increased flows on the Presque Isle River through the town of Marenisco, 2 miles downstream.In Marquette County, rising levels on the Chocolay, Peshekee, Escanaba and Michigamme Rivers forced ,people from their homes and camps. Hundreds of houses experienced water damage in their basements and dozens of homes had water in their first floor. The high water and increased flow on the Carp River washed out a 65 foot section of highway M-553, closing the road until a new bridge can be built.In Ontonagon County, highway M-28 was closed for 3 days near Bergland and Merriweather due to high water, and many secondary roads were closed because of flooding and wash outs from flooding creeks and streams.Baraga and Houghton Counties experienced flooding on the Sturgeon River and other smaller creeks and streams with flooding of some local roads and structures. Menominee, Dickinson and Iron Counties had flooding along the Montreal River. Local roads were flooded and some homes and businesses had to be evacuated due to rising water. Flood waters began to recede and river levels fell sharply over the weekend of April 20.

Flood in GOGEBIC, MICHIGAN
From 14-APR-02 12:00:00 to 20-APR-02 12:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 18M
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Flood in MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN
From 12-APR-02 09:30:00 to 20-APR-02 09:30:00 (EST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Flood in ONTONAGON, MICHIGAN
From 14-APR-02 13:00:00 to 20-APR-02 13:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 212K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Flood in HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN
From 14-APR-02 01:00:00 to 20-APR-02 10:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Flood in BARAGA, MICHIGAN
From 14-APR-02 01:00:00 to 20-APR-02 10:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Flood in IRON, MICHIGAN
From 15-APR-02 12:00:00 to 20-APR-02 12:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 280K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Flood in DICKINSON, MICHIGAN
From 15-APR-02 12:00:00 to 20-APR-02 12:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Flood in MENOMINEE, MICHIGAN
From 15-APR-02 12:00:00 to 20-APR-02 12:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 50K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER