Marquette Underwater Preserve
Map showing the location of Marquette Underwater Preserve
Map showing the location of Marquette Underwater Preserve
Location within the state of Michigan
LocationLake Superior, Marquette County, Michigan USA
Nearest cityMarquette, Michigan
Coordinates46°47′10″N 87°34′59″W / 46.786°N 87.583°W / 46.786; -87.583
Area144 sq mi (370 km2)[1]
Governing bodyMichigan Department of Natural Resources

The Marquette Underwater Preserve was established in 1990 to promote conservation of the submerged historical resources in Lake Superior near Marquette, Michigan. The preserve is composed of two separate units, the Marquette Unit and the Huron Islands Unit. The Marquette Unit extends along approximately 24 miles of Michigan shoreline out to the 200-foot depth contour. The Huron Islands Unit surrounds a group of granite peaks about 12 miles from shore. The Michigan Underwater Preserve Council oversees activities relating to all of Michigan's underwater preserves.[2]

The preserve is open to scuba divers.

History

Marquette, Michigan became a major shipping port after iron ore was discovered in the area in 1844, and marine traffic in the area has been heavy ever since. Heavy traffic combined with not-too-uncommon thick fog and gale force winds has resulted in numerous shipwrecks.

Marquette Unit Sites
Site name Type Depth (ft) Depth (m) Coordinates
Charles James Kershaw Wooden Propeller Steamer 25 7.6 46°30.56′N 87°21.81′W / 46.50933°N 87.36350°W / 46.50933; -87.36350 (Charles James Kershaw)
D. Leuty Wooden Propeller Steamer 40 12 46°32.76′N 87°22.44′W / 46.54600°N 87.37400°W / 46.54600; -87.37400 (D. Leuty)
DeSoto Wooden Bark 8–10 2.4–3.0 46°32.07′N 87°23.55′W / 46.53450°N 87.39250°W / 46.53450; -87.39250 (DeSoto)
F-106B Fighter Plane wreck debris 20–22 6.1–6.7 46°31.71′N 87°23.75′W / 46.52850°N 87.39583°W / 46.52850; -87.39583 (F-106B)
Florida Wooden Schooner 10–15 3.0–4.6 46°32.11′N 87°23.53′W / 46.53517°N 87.39217°W / 46.53517; -87.39217 (Florida)
George Sherman Wooden Schooner 10–12 3.0–3.7 46°29.89′N 87°9.63′W / 46.49817°N 87.16050°W / 46.49817; -87.16050 (George Sherman)
The "Gold Mine" Pinnacle Pinnacle of granite 12–150 3.7–45.7 46°35.38′N 87°21.75′W / 46.58967°N 87.36250°W / 46.58967; -87.36250 (The "Gold Mine" Pinnacle)
“Iron Man” & J.H. Sheadle Shipwreck debris 15 4.6 46°34.08′N 87°23.17′W / 46.56800°N 87.38617°W / 46.56800; -87.38617 (“Iron Man” & J.H. Sheadle)
Queen City Wooden Schooner 10–13 3.0–4.0 46°29.42′N 87°18.64′W / 46.49033°N 87.31067°W / 46.49033; -87.31067 (Queen City)
Superior & Marion L. Wooden Fishing Tugs 20 6.1 46°32.50′N 87°23.35′W / 46.54167°N 87.38917°W / 46.54167; -87.38917 (Superior & Marion L.)
Huron Island Unit Sites
Site name Type Depth (ft) Depth (m) Coordinates
Arctic Wooden Sidewheel Steamer 5–100 1.5–30.5 46°57.74′N 87°59.85′W / 46.96233°N 87.99750°W / 46.96233; -87.99750 (Arctic)
George Nester Wooden Schooner-Barge 20–100 6.1–30.5 46°57.99′N 88°00.20′W / 46.96650°N 88.00333°W / 46.96650; -88.00333 (George Nester)
Southwest Wooden Schooner 100 30 46°56.42′N 87°56.11′W / 46.94033°N 87.93517°W / 46.94033; -87.93517 (Southwest)
Launch Huron Island Wooden Gas Launch 15 4.6 46°56.42′N 87°56.11′W / 46.94033°N 87.93517°W / 46.94033; -87.93517 (Launch Huron Island)

See also

References

  1. ^ Marquette County Underwater Preserve Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  2. ^ Marquette Underwater Preserve Michigan Underwater Preserve Council

External links


Protected areas of Michigan
Categories