With this spring breaking records as the wettest in Ann Arbor’s history, many local business owners said they are feeling the economic effects of these bad weather patterns.

Heavy rains, strong winds and flood conditions have caused a multitude of problems in the Ann Arbor area this week, including an embankment failure that closed Plymouth Road starting last night.

For some Ann Arbor businesses, these conditions have led to weather closures and a significant decline in customers.

Cheryl Saam, facility supervisor of the Gallup and Argo Canoe Liveries, said this is the worst spring she has experienced in nearly a decade.

“I’ve run canoe liveries now for nine years, and this is the worst spring for sure,” said Saam. “This is the most rain, the most high water we’ve had. It will creep down a little bit and then it just rains again.”

Saam said that the river trips at the Gallup Canoe Livery have only run three days since the business opened in mid-April. Although the livery is still open for stillwater paddling, she said the Huron River water levels have been too high for the longer river trips.

“The business is considerably down with all the rain we’ve had,” Saam said. “Half the folks coming in want to a do a river trip and they can’t because of the weather.”

Gilda Johnson, owner of the Lake Forest Golf Club at Ellsworth and Ann Arbor-Saline roads, said the bad weather conditions have had a “significant impact” on her business, which had to close on Wednesday due to heavy rains.

Johnson said she has had to spend extra money to clear flooded areas, consistently call off employees and push back training any new employees.

“There’s a lot more ramifications due to poor weather than what’s obvious,” Johnson said.

Geoff Perkins, owner of the Perkins Construction Company, said many of his projects are behind schedule due to weather delays. He said painting projects, excavations and roof work have to be put on hold when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

“Some of our exterior kinds of construction have virtually come to an absolute stop,” Perkins said. “It’s been a really, really challenging winter and spring.”

Although many Ann Arbor businesses rely on good weather conditions for customers, a few businesses have actually seen an uptick in demand thanks to the heavy rains.

Michigan Power Rodding, a company that specializes in drain cleaning and water removal and restoration services, has seen an enormous increase in customer calls, said employee Danielle Lorey.

“We’re really busy and have everybody out on the roads,” Lorey said. “We haven’t stopped for two days. I haven’t been able to do anything but answer calls and schedule.”

She said she has been receiving phone calls from customers with pump failures, downed storm lines and flooded basements.

K.C. James of Packard Auto Repair said that although his business has not necessarily increased, he is getting a lot of storm related calls.

“Business isn’t too different, but we’re working because cars are flooding,” James said.

Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.