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Round Island Northwest Lighthouse

Q Red🇺🇸USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Round Island Northwest Lighthouse

Also known as: Round Island Northwest (Light 26)

A 10.5-meter cylindrical tower, painted white with a single narrow red horizontal band, stands on a shoal at the entrance to the St. Marys River. A gallery is present on the tower, and the light emanates from a fiberglass post atop it. This structure marks the junction of the Birch Point and Brush Point Channels, a location where vessels must execute a sharp turn when entering or leaving the river. The light is red and flashes quickly once every second. The site is open to visitors, but the tower itself is closed to the public.

Why it matters: This light is indispensable for safe navigation within the St. Marys River, specifically marking the junction of the Birch Point and Brush Point Channels and guiding vessels through a sharp turn.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Q Red
Flash Type
Quick
Light Color
Red
Raw Code
Q R
Focal Height
10.5m
Geographic Range
10.5NM

Location

Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Michigan
Sea Region
marks the junction of the Birch Point and Brush Point Channels, where vessels must make a sharp turn into or out of the river. Located on a shoal in the entrance to the St. Marys River, about 1.25 mi (2 km) north of Birch Point and 0.8 mi (1.3 km) northwest of Round Island.
Latitude
46.4506°
Longitude
-84.5314°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Sault-Sainte-Marie(7.9 km)
USCG No.
7-14425
ARLHS No.
USA-1280

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10.5m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with one narrow red horizontal band

Structure: A 10.5m cylindrical tower with a gallery, painted white with one narrow red horizontal band. The light is shown from a fiberglass post atop the gallery.

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Round Island Northwest Lighthouse at night?+
Round Island Northwest displays the characteristic Q Red. 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 Round Island Northwest Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Round Island Northwest Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Sault Sainte Marie at 8.1 NM to the ENE. Other ports served include Sault-Sainte-Marie (8.6 NM ENE), CEDARVILLE (28.3 NM SSE), Brevort (33.4 NM SW), Mackinac Island (36.5 NM S). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Round Island Northwest Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Round Island Northwest 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 Round Island Northwest Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Round Island Northwest 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.