Marquette Underwater Preserve

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]

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
Area144 sq mi (370 km2)[1]
Governing bodyMichigan Department of Natural Resources

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
D. Leuty Wooden Propeller Steamer 40 12 46°32.76′N 87°22.44′W
DeSoto Wooden Bark 8–10 2.4–3.0 46°32.07′N 87°23.55′W
F-106B Fighter Plane wreck debris 20–22 6.1–6.7 46°31.71′N 87°23.75′W
Florida Wooden Schooner 10–15 3.0–4.6 46°32.11′N 87°23.53′W
George Sherman Wooden Schooner 10–12 3.0–3.7 46°29.89′N 87°9.63′W
The "Gold Mine" Pinnacle Pinnacle of granite 12–150 3.7–45.7 46°35.38′N 87°21.75′W
“Iron Man” & J.H. Sheadle Shipwreck debris 15 4.6 46°34.08′N 87°23.17′W
Queen City Wooden Schooner 10–13 3.0–4.0 46°29.42′N 87°18.64′W
Superior & Marion L. Wooden Fishing Tugs 20 6.1 46°32.50′N 87°23.35′W
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
George Nester Wooden Schooner-Barge 20–100 6.1–30.5 46°57.99′N 88°00.20′W
Southwest Wooden Schooner 100 30 46°56.42′N 87°56.11′W
Launch Huron Island Wooden Gas Launch 15 4.6 46°56.42′N 87°56.11′W

See also

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


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