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Wawatam Lighthouse

Fl W 5s🇺🇸Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula, USInactive

Location & Light Range

About Wawatam Lighthouse

The Wawatam Lighthouse stands 52 meters tall with a focal height of 19 meters. This modern, automated structure was originally erected in 1998 by the Michigan Department of Transportation near Monroe as a roadside attraction. After six years, the tower was saved from demolition and relocated to St. Ignace. Over a two-year period, it was disassembled, transported, and reassembled. The lighthouse was relit in August 2006, serving as a functional aid to navigation guarding the harbor of St. Ignace in the Straits of Mackinac.

Why it matters: Erected in 1998 and relit in 2006, the Wawatam Lighthouse is one of the last working light towers built in U.S. waters.

Background
Wawatam Lighthouse is an automated, modern lighthouse that guards the harbor of St. Ignace, Michigan, in the Straits of Mackinac. Originally completely nonfunctional, it was erected in 1998 by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) near Monroe, Michigan as a roadside attraction at a welcome center that greeted northbound drivers on Interstate 75 (I-75). After serving in this capacity for six years, the structure was threatened in 2004 when MDOT decided to rebuild the welcome center and demolish the tower. Demolition was averted when the St. Ignace civic leaders for the Straits of Mackinac municipality, which had never had a light tower, heard of the opportunity and asked that the welded steel tower be given to them, this time for use in real life. Over a two-year period, the redundant structure was cut apart, trucked to St. Ignace, and re-erected, this time as a functional aid to navigation with a working light. The "new" lighthouse was re-lighted in St. Ignace in August 2006. As of 2025, it is one of the final working light towers to be erected in the waters of the United States.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
5s
Focal Height
19m

Construction & History

Year Built
1998

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q29791570 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
52m

Location

City
Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
45.8660°
Longitude
-84.7154°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Wawatam Lighthouse at night?+
Wawatam displays the characteristic Fl W 5s — 1 white flash every 5 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 Wawatam Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Wawatam Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Mackinac Island at 4.4 NM to the ESE. Other ports served include MACKINAW CITY (5.1 NM S), Brevort (16.1 NM NW), CHEBOYGAN (16.5 NM SE), CEDARVILLE (16.7 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Wawatam Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Wawatam 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.
How can I track vessels near Wawatam Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Wawatam 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.