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Illinois Waterway Lighthouses Lighthouse

F Amber🇺🇸USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Illinois Waterway Lighthouses Lighthouse

Built in 1994, this 9-meter round limestone tower with a lantern and gallery stands at river mile 303.5 on the Illinois Waterway. It is located northeast of Lemont at the junction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and the Cal-Sag Channel. The amber light emits a fixed amber signal. The tower's focal height reaches 14 meters, providing a geographic range of 11.6 nautical miles. This structure was created as an aesthetically pleasing component of SEPA Station 5, a project focused on improving water quality.

Why it matters: The lighthouse aids navigation at a significant inland waterway junction and was integrated into an environmental infrastructure project aimed at water quality improvement.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
F Amber
Flash Type
Fixed
Light Color
Amber
Raw Code
F Am
Focal Height
14m
Geographic Range
11.6NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1994

Significant events: Built as an attractive feature of SEPA Station 5; USCG dropped its listing of privately-maintained lights

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Lemont(3.9 km)
USCG No.
5-5745

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
9m
Tower Shape
round
Tower Color
limestone tower with lantern
Material
limestone

Structure: A 9m round unpainted limestone tower with lantern and gallery.

Location

Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Illinois
Sea Region
Junction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and the Cal-Sag Channel northeast of Lemont, at river mile 303.5 on the Illinois Waterway, which connects Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River
Latitude
41.6978°
Longitude
-87.9460°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Illinois Waterway Lighthouses Lighthouse at night?+
Illinois Waterway Lighthouses displays the characteristic F Amber. 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 amber color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Illinois Waterway Lighthouses Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Illinois Waterway Lighthouses Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is LEMONT at 3.2 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include Fairmont, Will (10 NM SSW), Stickney (10.7 NM NE), JOLIET (12.1 NM SSW), Glendale Heights (13.3 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Illinois Waterway Lighthouses Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Illinois Waterway Lighthouses 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 Illinois Waterway Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Illinois Waterway Lighthouses 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.