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Green Bay Harbor Entrance Lighthouse

Occ R 4s🇺🇸Eastern Wisconsin, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Green Bay Harbor Entrance Lighthouse

This offshore lighthouse was established near Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 1935. It stands 22 meters above the water and exhibits a red light. The lighthouse is powered by a submarine cable, a system still utilized by a limited number of Great Lakes lights. Its illumination comes from a pair of 300 mm acrylic optics. The structure is best viewed from a vessel, as it is situated too far offshore for good land-based observation.

Why it matters: This light marks the entrance to Green Bay and defines the shipping channel leading to the Fox River.

Background
The Green Bay Harbor Entrance Light is an offshore lighthouse near Green Bay, Wisconsin. Located 10 miles (16 km) from the mouth of the Fox River, it was erected to signal the entrance to Green Bay. The shipping channel approaching the Fox River in Green Bay was changed a number of times in order to accommodate vessels of increasing draft. The Army Corps of Engineers also modified the channel in the mid 1920s. The Green Bay Harbor Entrance buoy was established in 1927 to mark this point until the Bureau of Lighthouses could obtain funds for a more permanent solution. The acetylene buoy emitted a flash of 0.3 seconds duration every 3 seconds and had a wave-activated bell. The light is one of the few on the Great Lakes still powered by submarine cable. It is issued from a pair of 300 mm Tideland Signal ML300 acrylic optics mounted on the gallery railing. Because the light is too far out to be seen well from shore, the only good view of it is from a boat.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Occ R 4s
Flash Type
Occ
Light Color
Red
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
4s
Focal Height
22m

Location

City
Eastern Wisconsin
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
44.6500°
Longitude
-87.9000°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Construction & History

Year Built
1935

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q5602333 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Green Bay Harbor Entrance Lighthouse at night?+
Green Bay Harbor Entrance displays the characteristic Occ R 4s — 1 red flash every 4 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. The red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Green Bay Harbor Entrance Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Green Bay Harbor Entrance Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Green Bay at 9.7 NM to the SSW. Other ports served include De Pere (13.6 NM SSW), OCONTO (14.5 NM N), ALGOMA (20.1 NM E), Kewaunee (20.6 NM ESE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Green Bay Harbor Entrance Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Green Bay Harbor Entrance Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near Green Bay Harbor Entrance Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Green Bay Harbor Entrance 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.