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Cleveland East Ledge Lighthouse

Fl W 10s🇺🇸Southeastern Massachusetts, Falmouth MA, Buzzards Bay, USInactive

Location & Light Range

About Cleveland East Ledge Lighthouse

Constructed in 1943, Cleveland East Ledge Light is a lighthouse situated on a man-made island in Buzzards Bay. The structure stands 21 meters tall with its focal plane at 22 meters. It emits a white light. This navigational aid was automated and became operational in 1943. The lighthouse is no longer active. Its listing on the National Register of Historic Places acknowledges its historical significance.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marks the eastern side of the entrance to the Cape Cod Canal's dredged channel, serving as the first fixed navigational marker for vessels proceeding northbound. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Background
Cleveland East Ledge Light is a historic lighthouse in Falmouth, Massachusetts. It sits on a man-made island in shallow water on the eastern of the two halves of Cleveland Ledge, which is said to have been named for President Grover Cleveland because he owned the nearby Gray Gables estate and used to fish in the area. It marks the east side of the beginning of the dredged channel leading to the Cape Cod Canal and is the first fixed mark when going northbound through the canal. As it is an important mark in an area subject to fog, it has a racon showing the letter "C".

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
10s
Focal Height
22m
Light Range
15NM (27.8 km)

Construction & History

Year Built
1943
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q5132124 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
21m

Location

City
Southeastern Massachusetts, Falmouth MA, Buzzards Bay
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
41.6308°
Longitude
-70.6942°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Cleveland East Ledge Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 22 meters and a nominal range of 15 nautical miles (approximately 27.8 km), Cleveland East Ledge is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. Lights of this range are typically used as landfall lights by vessels approaching from the open sea.
How do mariners identify Cleveland East Ledge Lighthouse at night?+
Cleveland East Ledge displays the characteristic Fl W 10s — 1 white flash every 10 seconds. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area.
Which ports and harbors does Cleveland East Ledge Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cleveland East Ledge Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Cataumet at 4.4 NM to the NE. Other ports served include BARLOW'S BOAT YARD (5.1 NM NE), MARION (5.3 NM NNW), MATTAPOISETT (5.5 NM WNW), BURR BROTHERS BOATS (5.9 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cleveland East Ledge Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Cleveland East Ledge Lighthouse is currently listed as inactive. It may have been decommissioned, replaced by a different navigation aid, or temporarily taken out of service. Mariners should check the latest Notices to Mariners for current status.
What shipping routes pass near Cleveland East Ledge Lighthouse?+
Cleveland East Ledge Lighthouse is located within the US East Coast shipping lane — a major shipping corridor serving ports along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Cleveland East Ledge Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cleveland East Ledge Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.