Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve is a United States National Marine Sanctuary on Lake Huron's Thunder Bay, within the northeastern region of the U.S. state of Michigan. It protects an estimated 116 historically significant shipwrecks ranging from nineteenth-century wooden side-wheelers to twentieth-century steel-hulled steamers. There are a great many wrecks in the sanctuary, and their preservation and protection is a concern for national policymakers.[1] The landward boundary of the sanctuary extends from the western boundary of Presque Isle County to the southern boundary of Alcona County. The sanctuary extends east from the lakeshore to the international border. Alpena is the largest city in the area.

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve
Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center
Location among Michigan's Underwater Preserves
LocationLake Huron (Alcona, Alpena, and Presque Isle counties, Michigan)
Nearest cityAlpena, Michigan
Coordinates45.0034°N 83.253°W / 45.0034; -83.253
Area4,300 sq mi (11,000 km2)
Established2000
Governing bodyMichigan Department of Natural Resources, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

History
Map of Thunder Bay sanctuary showing original boundaries

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration established Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve in 2000. It became the thirteenth overall and first on the Great Lakes. Original boundaries followed that of Alpena County to 83 degrees west longitude totaling 448 square miles (1,160 km2). In 2014 it was expanded to 4,300 square miles (11,000 km2).[2] The marine sanctuary contains many shipwrecks, such as the hull of package freighter SS Pewabic.

Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center

Tied to the sanctuary is the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. The museum, located in Alpena on the Thunder Bay River, features exhibits about local shipwrecks and the Great Lakes, an auditorium, an archaeological conservation lab, and education areas.

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See also

References
  1. Statement of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Director Archived 2007-07-15 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Smith, Vernon; Gandualla, Stephanie. "NOAA expands Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron". NOAA. Retrieved 11 September 2014.



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