Canadian sailing directions, CEN 304 : Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River 12/2021

CEN 304

Canadian

Sailing

Directions

Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River

12/2021

Pictograph legend

Anchorage

Wharf

Marina

Current

Caution

Light

Radio calling-in point

Lifesaving station

Pilotage

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Published under the authority of the

Canadian Hydrographic Service

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

200 Kent Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0E6

Catalogue No. Fs74-61E-PDF

ISSN 2816-4970

Ottawa

Record of Changes

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be maintained for the current calendar year only

Chapter /

Paragraph

Description of Change

III

Table of Contents

Preface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .V

Explanatory Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . V

References to Other Publications . . . . . .VI

Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VII

Chapter

Detroit River

General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1

Lower Livingstone Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Amherstburg Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Livingstone Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Amherstburg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-5

Ballards Reef Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

Fighting Island Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8

Fighting Island to Lake St. Clair . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11

Port of Windsor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

Lake Erie

Lake St. Clair

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Lake Huron

Sarnia

Windsor

Detroit

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

CANADA

Chapter

Belle River

Lake St. Clair

General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1

Main ship channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

South east coast of Lake St. Clair. . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2

Pike Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2

Puce River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

Belle River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

Ruscom River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Stoney Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4

Thames River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Chatham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6

NE coast of Lake St. Clair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Mitchell’s Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

U.S. shores of Lake St. Clair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7

Chapter

Sarnia Harbour

St. Clair River

General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1

South Channel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2

Chenail Ecarté and Sydenham River . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Sydenham River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5

Wallaceburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5

Continuation of St. Clair River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

Sarnia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

Appendices

Sail Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-1

Distance Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-3

Index

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l-1

Preface

The Second Edition of Sailing Directions, CEN 304 — Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River 2020, has been

compiled from Canadian Government and other information sources. All hydrographic terms used in this booklet are

in accordance with the meanings given in the Hydrographic Dictionary (Special Publication No. 32), published by the

International Hydrographic Organization.

General information for the Great Lakes is grouped within one booklet, Sailing Directions, CEN 300 — General

Information, Great Lakes, 1996. It contains navigational information and a brief description of the main port facilities as

well as geographic, oceanographic and atmospheric characteristics.

The detailed description of the geographical areas is given in a series of booklets. Their limits are printed on the

back cover of the booklets. The appropriate descriptive booklet(s) should be consulted in conjunction with the

CEN 300 — General Information booklet.

The photographs are by the Canadian Hydrographic Service, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Burlington, Ontario.

Explanatory Notes

Canadian Sailing Directions expand charted details and

provide important information of interest to navigation

which may not necessarily be found on charts or in other

marine publications. They are intended to be read in

conjunction with the charts quoted in the text.

Remarks

Buoys are described in detail only where they have special

navigational signicance, or where the scale of the chart is

too small to clearly show all the details.

Chart references, in italics, refer to the largest scale

Canadian chart. Occasionally a smaller scale chart

may be quoted where its use is more appropriate.

Tidal information relating to the vertical movements of

the water is not given and the Canadian Tide and Current

Tables should be consulted. However, abnormal changes

in water level are noted.

Names have been obtained from the Geonames database

administered by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).

Where an obsolete name still appears on the chart or is

of local usage, it is given in brackets following the

ocial name.

Wreck information is included where drying or

submerged wrecks are relatively permanent features

and are of navigation or anchoring signicance.

Units and terminology

used in this booklet

Latitude and longitude given in brackets are approximate

and are intended to facilitate reference to the chart quoted.

Bearings and directions refer to True North (geographic)

and are given in degrees from 000° clockwise to 359°. The

bearings of conspicuous objects, ranges and light sectors

are given from seaward. Courses always refer to the

course to be made good.

Tidal streams and currents are described by the

direction towards which they ow. The ebb stream is

caused by a falling tide and the ood stream is caused by

a rising tide. Winds are described by the direction from

which they blow.

Distances, unless otherwise stated, are expressed in

nautical miles. For practical purposes, a nautical mile is

considered to be the length of one minute of arc, measured

along the meridian, in the latitude of the position. The

international nautical mile, which has now been adopted

by most maritime nations, is equal to 1852 m (6076 ft).

Speeds are expressed in knots, which means 1 nautical

mile per hour.

Depths, unless otherwise stated, are referred to chart

datum. As depths are liable to change, particularly those

in dredged channels and alongside wharves, it is strongly

recommended these be conrmed by the appropriate

local authority.

References to other publications

Elevations and vertical clearances are given above

Higher High Water, Large Tide. In non-tidal waters they

are referred to chart datum.

Heights of objects, distinct from elevations, refer to the

heights of the structures above the ground.

The List of Lights, Buoys and Fog Signals number is

shown in brackets after the navigational aid (light, leading

lights, buoy). The expression “seasonal” indicates that it is

operational for a certain period during the year; mariners

should consult the List of Lights, Buoys and Fog Signals

to determine the period of operation. The expression

“private” means that the navigational aid is privately

maintained; it will not necessarily be mentioned in the

List of Lights, Buoys and Fog Signals and its characteristics

may change without issuance of a Notice to Shipping.

Time, unless otherwise stated, is expressed in local

standard or daylight time. For the waters described in this

booklet, local time is Eastern Standard Time (EST) .

Deadweight tonnage and masses are expressed in metric

tonnes of 1000 kilograms (2204.6 pounds). The kilogram

is used to describe relatively small masses.

Public wharf is a wharf that is available for public use,

though certain fees may be charged by local authorities. It

may be shown as “Government Wharf” or “Govt Whf” on

older charts.

Conspicuous objects, natural or articial, are those which

stand out clearly from the background and are easily

identiable from a few miles oshore in normal visibility.

The expression “small craft” refers to pleasure craft and

small vessels with shallow draught.

Diagrams are large scale cartographic representations of

harbours, wharves, anchorages, or marinas.

Pictographs are symbols shown at the beginning of the

paragraphs to allow quick reference to information or to

emphasize details. The Pictograph Legend is shown on

the inside front and back covers of this booklet.

Canadian Coast Guard

• List of Lights, Bouys and Fog Signals

• Radio Aids to Marine Navigation (Atlantic, St. Lawrence, Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg and Eastern Arctic)

• Ice Navigation in Canadian Waters

• Annual Edition of Notices to Mariners

• The Canadian Aids to Navigation System

• Merchant Ship Search and Rescue Manual (CANMERSAR)

• The International Code of Signals

Environment Canada

• Great Lakes Marine Weather Guide

• Great Lakes Climatological Atlas

Canadian Hydrographic Service

• Canadian Tidal Manual

• Chart No. 1 — Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms

• Tides in Canadian Waters

• Notes on the Use of Loran-C Charts

• Canadian Tide and Current Tables

• Catalogue of Nautical Charts and Publications (Great Lakes)

St. Lawrence Seaway Authority

• The Seaway Handbook

VII

Units

°C degree Celsius

cm centimetre

fm fathom

ft foot

h hour

ha hectare

HP horsepower

kHz kilohertz

km kilometre

kn knot

kPa kilopascal

m metre

M million, mega

mb millibar

min minute

MHz megahertz

mm millimetre

NM nautical mile

t metric tonne

° degree (plane angle)

' minute (plane angle)

Abbreviations

Directions

N north

NNE north northeast

NE northeast

ENE east northeast

E east

ESE east southeast

SE southeast

SSE south southeast

S south

SSW south southwest

SW southwest

WSW west southwest

W west

WNW west northwest

NW northwest

NNW north northwest

Various

A.P.A. Atlantic Pilotage Authority

CCG Canadian Coast Guard

CHS Canadian Hydrographic Service

DFO Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada

DWT deadweight tonnage

ETA estimated time of arrival

ETD estimated time of departure

HF high frequency

HW high water

LW low water

MCTS Marine Communications and Trac Services

NAD North American Datum

No. number

SAR Search and Rescue

U.S.A. United States of America

VHF very high frequency

VTS Vessel Trac Services

General

Charts 2123, 14848, 14853

1 Detroit River is 28 miles (51 km) long from

Detroit River light at its mouth in Lake Erie to its head at

Windmill Point, at the SW corner of Lake St. Clair. It is

navigated by the largest vessels on the Great Lakes.

2 The southern part, or lower river, is broad and has

many islands and shallow areas. The river banks are lower

than in the upper river, and the bottom consists mainly of

sediment and boulders. A 5.5-mile section (8.8-km) north

of the south end of Bois Blanc Island is, however, mainly

bedrock and boulders. Dredged channels allow the passage

of large ships.

3 For the northern 12 miles (22.2 km), upstream of

Fighting Island, the river is a single deep channel except at

its head where it is divided by Peche Island and Belle Isle.

The water is mainly deep, the bottom is of sediment, and

the river banks are steep.

4 Depths and vertical clearances under cables and

bridges on Detroit River refer to the sloping surface of the

river corresponding to a Lake St. Clair elevation of 572.3 ft

(174.4 m) above IGLD 1985 and a Lake Erie elevation

of 569.2 ft (173.5 m) above IGLD 1985. More informa-

tion on chart datums is given in Sailing Directions booklet

CEN 300 — General Information, Great Lakes.

5 Real-time water level information for Detroit Riv-

er at Amherstburg is available from the Canadian Hydro-

graphic Service Automated Water Level Gauge, telephone

number 519-736-4357. (More information on water levels

is given in Sailing Directions booklet CEN 300 — General

Information, Great Lakes.)

6 Charted depths in St. Lawrence Seaway channels

are reported to be maintained by periodic dredging. Latest

information on depths should be obtained from local au-

thorities. Controlling depths in the channels are announced

by United States Coast Guard Local Notice to Mariners.

7 Caution. — Seasonal uctuations of water

level give a normal range of about 2 ft (0.6 m) in

monthly mean levels in the river. Strong east or west winds,

however, can raise or lower water levels in the west end of

Lake Erie and Detroit River by as much as 6 ft (1.8 m) in

Chapter 1

Windsor

Detroit

Belle Isle

CANADA

U.S.A.

Detroit River light

Detroit River

Lake Erie

Detroit River

Windsor

Detroit

Belle Isle

CANADA

U.S.A.

Detroit River light

Detroit River

Lake Erie

CEN 304

Detroit River — Lake St. Clair — St. Clair River

1-2

is usually about 1.5 times the average velocity. Greater

velocities may be expected when the dierence between the

lake levels is greater, or when lake stages are higher.

10 Detroit River is a designated pilotage area.

There are pilot exchange points south of Ambassa-

dor Bridge (42°19'N, 83°04'W) and in Lake Huron o the

head of St. Clair River. For more information on pilotage,

consult Sailing Directions booklet CEN 300 — General

Information, Great Lakes, the Annual Edition of Notices

to Mariners and Radio Aids to Marine Navigation (Atlan-

tic, St. Lawrence, Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg, Arctic and

Pacic).

11 There are speed limits on Detroit River for all

vessels with an overall length of 65.6 ft (20 m) or more.

The speed limits are listed in the St. Clair and Detroit River

eight hours. Atmospheric pressure changes may also cause

uctuations of 1 foot (0.3 m) or more.

8 On the 5

and 20

days of each month during the

navigation season, the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Detroit

District, publishes a bulletin of the predicted range of water

levels. When the water level in the west end of Lake Erie

falls 1 inch (2.54 cm) or more below the predicted level,

the United States Coast Guard, Sector Detroit, broadcasts

low water warnings on Channel 12 (156.60 MHz) on the

odd hour plus 55 minutes.

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 7, partial]

9 The following currents are based on the aver-

ages of water ow through the entire cross section of the

river, that is, from bank to bank and from the surface to the

bottom during normal water ow conditions. Normal water

ow conditions are encountered when there is no wind,

Lake St Clair is at a stage of 573.9 feet [174.9 m], and the

lower Detroit River [Lake Erie] stage is 571.0 feet [174.0

m] above mean water level at Rimouski, QC, on Inter-

national Great Lakes Datum 1985 [IGLD 1985], that is 1.6

feet [0.5 meter] and 1.8 feet [0.5 m] above their respective

Low Water Datums. The current encountered at midstream

Navigation Safety Regulations, quoted in Sailing Directions

booklet CEN 300 — General Information, Great Lakes.

12 The speed limit for the harbour at Windsor is set by

the Windsor Port Authority at 8 knots (15 km/h), except for the

channel south of Peche Island. The speed limit in this channel,

between buoys DP2 and DP5, is 5 knots (9.4 km/h). The wat-

ers inside the limits of the formerly named Peche Island Prov-

incial Park are subject to a speed limit of 3.2 knots (6 km/h).

13 There are Marine Communications and

Trac Services (MCTS) calling-in points in Detroit

River and its approaches. For details consult the St. Clair

and Detroit River Navigation Safety Regulations and the

Radio Aids to Marine Navigation (Atlantic, St. Lawrence,

Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg, Arctic and Pacic).

14 Canadian Government regulations are available at:

http://laws.justice.gc.ca/.

15 Most of the marinas on the Canadian side of De-

troit River are Customs telephone reporting site/marine for

pleasure craft: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/do-rb/services/

trsm-sdtm-eng.html.

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 7, partial]

16 ENCs US4MI11M, US5MI12M, US5MI30M,

US5MI28M, US5MI29M, US5MI22M, Charts 14830,

14848, 14852, 14854.–Detroit River Light (42°00'03"N.,

83°08'28"W.), 55 feet [17 m] above the water, is shown

from a white conical tower with black top, on a hexagonal

pier in the entrance to the Detroit River at the junction of

East and West Outer Channels; a sound signal and racon

are at the light.

17 Channels.–East Outer Channel and West Outer

Channel, dredged and well marked, lead northward

through the shallows at the upper end of Lake Erie to the

mouth of the Detroit River. Immediately north of Detroit

River Light, the channels merge to form lower Livingstone

Channel. A Federal project provides for a depth of 28.5 feet

[8.6 m] in East Outer Channel and 22 feet [6.7 m] in West

Outer Channel. (See Notice to Mariners and latest edition

of the above charts for controlling depths.)

18 East Outer Channel is a two-way passage. West

Outer Channel may be used by downbound vessels whose

drafts permit. (See 33 CFR 162.130, through 162.140,

chapter 2 [of U.S. Coast Pilot 6], for regulations.) East

Outer Channel Light 1E is equipped with a racon and a

seasonal sound signal.

19 ... A Federal project provides for a depth of 29.0

feet [8.8 m] in lower Livingstone Channel.

20 An unmarked temporary dumping ground is in the

approach to the Detroit River between East and West Outer

Channels.

Current Rates on Detroit River

High water

ow (knots)

Medium water

ow (knots)

Low water ow

(knots)

Livingstone Channel

Upper Entrance light

0.7 0.6 0.6

Fighting Island Channel

North light

1.3 1.3 1.2

1.5 miles below

Ambassador Bridge

1.4 1.3 1.2

Lower end of Belle Isle 1.2 1.1 1.0

1-3

CHAPTER 1

Detroit River

21 The lower part of the Detroit River west of Living-

stone Channel is open and generally shallow with several

small islands. Natural channels with depths of about 13 feet

[4 m] and less, marked by buoys, provide access for small

craft.

22 West of the lower end of the revetments in Living-

stone Channel, a small-craft channel marked by buoys

leads from the open part of the lower Detroit River between

Sugar Island, MI and Meso Island, MI along the Grosse

Ile shore and thence west of Stony Island, MI. In the nar-

row part of this channel between Stony Island and Grosse

Ile, a line of submerged bridge abutments cross the channel

with a least depth of ½ foot [0.1 m]. Submerged cables fol-

low the same line south and north of the abutments.

23 A natural channel marked by buoys leads from

open water in the lower part of the Detroit River along

the east side of Celeron Island and connects with Trenton

Channel at Gibraltar. The least depth in this channel is

about 7 feet [2.1 m].

24 Sugar Island Cut, about 400 feet [121.9 m] wide,

is an opening between the east side of Sugar Island and a

compensating revetment that extends west from the west

revetted wall of Livingstone Channel.

Lower Livingstone Channel

25 Lower Livingstone Channel (42°01'N,

83°08'W) is for two-way trac from Detroit River light

for the 2.3 miles (4.2 km) to the southern junction of

Amherstburg Channel and upper Livingstone Channel.

26 Detroit River Pier light D30 (640) is shown

at an elevation of 33.4 ft (10.2 m) from a white cylin-

drical tower with a red band at the top and marked D30.

27 Bar Point Pier light D33 (642), at the southern

junction of Amherstburg Channel and Livingstone Chan-

nel, is shown at an elevation of 45.9 ft (14 m) from a white

cylindrical tower marked D33.

Amherstburg Channel

Charts 14853, 14848

28 Bois Blanc Island (42°06'N, 83°07'W), in Can-

adian waters 5.5 miles (10.2 km) north of Detroit River light,

is known locally as Bob-Lo Island. At the south end of

the island there is Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse and

Blockhouse National Historic Site of Canada. Am-

herstburg is on the mainland east of Bois Blanc Island.

LIVINGSTONE CHANNEL AND AMHERSTBURG CHANNEL FROM SOUTH (2019)

CEN 304

Detroit River — Lake St. Clair — St. Clair River

1-4

29 Amherstburg Channel, for upbound trac,

passes east of Bois Blanc Island; it has three reaches. Hack-

ett Reach extends 3.2 miles (5.9 km) NNE from the junction

with Livingstone Channel to the south end of Bois Blanc

Island; Amherstburg Reach extends 1 mile (1.8 km) to the

north end of Bois Blanc Island; Limekiln Crossing Reach ex-

tends 1 mile (1.8 km) to the junction with Ballards

Reef Channel.

30 Hackett Reach, Amherstburg Reach and Limekiln

Crossing Reach are divided along their length into two

halves; the shallow-draught channel is on the eastern side

of these reaches and the deeper channel is on the west. The

deep-draught channel and the shallow-draught channel are

each 300 ft (91.4 m) wide. The channels are buoyed, and

range lights indicate the centreline of the deep channel on

each reach or course.

31 Caution. — Due to the current, extra care

is necessary when turning from Hackett Reach into

Amherstburg Reach.

32 Bar Point leading lights, in line

bearing 013½°, are on the south part of the dyke

extending south from Bois Blanc Island. The front light

D49 (648) is shown at an elevation of 31 ft (9.4 m) from

a white cylindrical tower with a green upper part and a

uorescent-orange triangular daymark with a black vertical

stripe and marked D49. The rear light (649) is shown at

an elevation of 60 ft (18.3 m) from a white skeleton tower

with a uorescent-orange inverted triangular daymark with a

black vertical stripe. The lights are visible on the line of the

range.

33 Light D53 (653), 0.6 mile (1.1 km) NNE of the

Bar Point rear range, is shown at an elevation of 31 ft

(9.4 m) from a white cylindrical tower, with a green upper

part and marked D53.

34 Hackett Reach leading lights, in line bearing 015°,

are in the town of Amherstburg. The front light (656) is

shown at an elevation of 45 ft (13.7 m) from a white cylin-

drical tower with a uorescent-orange triangular daymark

with a black vertical stripe. The rear light (657) is shown at

an elevation of 81 ft (24.8 m) from a white skeleton tower

with a uorescent-orange inverted triangular daymark with

a black vertical stripe. The lights are visible on the line of

the range.

35 Light D61 (660), on the east side of Bois Blanc

Island, is shown at an elevation of 33 ft (10.1 m) from

a white cylindrical tower, 24 ft (7.3 m) high, with a green

upper part and marked D61.

36 Amherstburg leading lights are in line bear-

ing 356°. The front light D65 (663), on the south end of

the dyke 0.4 mile (0.7 km) north of Bois Blanc Island,

is shown at an elevation of 30 ft (9.2 m) from a white

cylindrical tower with a green upper part and a uorescent-

orange triangular daymark with a black vertical stripe and

marked D65. The rear light (664) is shown at an elevation

of 45 ft (13.7 m) from a white skeleton tower with a uores-

cent-orange inverted triangular daymark with a black vertical

stripe. The lights are visible on the line of the range.

37 Limekiln Crossing leading lights, in line bear-

ing 003°, are 1.5 miles (2.8 km) north of the Hackett Reach

range lights. The front light (672) is shown at an eleva-

tion of 25 ft (7.6 m) from a white skeleton tower with a

uorescent-orange triangular daymark with a black vertical

stripe. The rear light (673) is shown at an elevation of 40 ft

(12.2 m) from a white cylindrical tower with a uorescent-

orange triangular daymark with a black vertical stripe. The

lights are visible on the line of the range.

38 Light D69 (669), 0.3 mile (0.6 km) north of the

rear Amherstburg range light, is shown at an elevation of

27.5 ft (8.4 m) from a white cylindrical tower with a green

upper part and marked D69. Light D71 (670), 0.16 mile

(0.3 km) farther north, is shown at an elevation of 33 ft

(10.1 m) from a white cylindrical tower, 24 ft (7.3 m) high,

with a green upper part and marked D71.

39 A self-propelled barge is reported to operate a

ferry service to Bois Blanc Island from a wharf on the

mainland near the Hackett Reach rear light. This ferry is

reported to operate on demand.

40 Several submerged cables cross Amherstburg

Channel.

Livingstone Channel

41 The northern part of Livingstone Channel, from

Bar Point Pier light D33 to Ballards Reef Channel

(42°08'N, 83°07'W) (described below), is for downbound

trac; it passes west of Bois Blanc Island. Much of the chan-

nel runs between rubble dykes. The sides of the channel are

marked by lights and buoys.

42 Hole-in-the-Wall, a gap in the Livingstone Chan-

nel dykes NW of Bois Blanc Island, allows small craft to

cross the main channel. A strong SW current ows through

Hole-in-the-Wall.

43 Livingstone Channel Upper Entrance

light (677), on a white square crib at the north end

of the Livingstone Channel near the intersection of Ballards

Reef Channel and Livingstone Channel, is shown at an

elevation of 42.3 ft (12.9 m) from a white cylindrical

tower 20 ft (6.1 m) high.

44 Livingstone Channel lights. — On the west side of

Livingstone Channel, Lights 25 (US 7240), 23 (US 7250),

21 (US 7260) and 19 (US 7275) are shown from black

masts with a green square daymark. Lights DL17 (696),

DL15 (694) and DL13 (692) are shown from white cylin-

1-5

CHAPTER 1

Detroit River

drical towers with a green upper part and are visible from all

points of approach on channel side . Lights 23 and 19 show

a higher intensity up and down the channel.

45 Marking the east side of the channel, Lights

26 (US 7245) and 24 (US 7255) are shown from red masts

with a red triangular daymark; Light 24 shows a higher

intensity up and down channel. Lights DL22 (701),

DL20 (699), DL18 (697), DL16 (695) and DL14 (693)

are shown from a white cylindrical tower, 24 ft (7.3 m)

high, with a red upper part.

46 The limits of Amherstburg Harbour are

dened as all of the waters of the Detroit River and of Lake

Erie on the Canadian side of the International Boundary

south of the southerly limit of Windsor Harbour and

west of the meridian of longitude 83°05'00"W. The

southerly limit of Windsor Harbour is a straight line

drawn from Fighting Island North light at the International

Boundary (42°14'N, 83°08'W) in a 046½

direction to the

high water mark on the shore.

47 Amherstburg Harbour is a Public Harbour

administered by Town of Amherstburg. For harbour

regulations see Sailing Directions booklet CEN 300 -

General Information, Great Lakes.

Amherstburg

48 The town of Amherstburg, with a population

of 21 936 (2016), is a tourist resort with much historic

appeal, having been a major battleground in the War

of 1812 and also the northern end of the Underground

Railroad for escaping slaves. There are also chemical,

distillation and manufacturing plants in the area.

49 A Canadian Coast Guard Base lies

between the Hackett Reach leading lights. The

south wharf has a buoy maintenance and storage build-

ing; the wharf is 250 ft (76.2 m) long and has a depth of

21 ft (6.4 m). A protected basin formed by the northern

part of the south wharf has a depth of 3 ft (0.9 m). The north

wharf, 290 ft (88.4 m) long, has workshops and oce build-

ings. In an emergency, temporary berthing at the Canadian

Coast Guard Base may be requested through the Canadian

Coast Guard. There is a launching ramp at the base.

50 Amherstburg is a Customs telephone reporting

station/marine for pleasure craft.

51 The former Allied Chemical wharf, at the

upper end of Amherstburg, is a series of dolphins

connected by catwalks. The wharf is 300 ft (91.4 m)

long with a depth of 21 ft (6.4 m).

52 A Canadian Coast Guard Rescue Cut-

ter is based at Amherstburg from the beginning of

BOIS BLANC ISLAND AND AMHERSTBURG (2019)

CEN 304

Detroit River — Lake St. Clair — St. Clair River

1-6

April to mid-December each year, though these dates are

subject to change (see information on Search and Rescue

in Sailing Directions booklet CEN 300 — General Infor-

mation, Great Lakes).

53 Caution. — Extra care is neces-

sary when anchoring in Amherstburg

Channel between its upper end and the south end of Bois

Blanc Island; the current may cause an anchor to drag

and overturn rocks which then become obstructions.

54 A submerged water intake north of the front

structure of the Fort Malden range lights extends 300 ft

(91.4 m) into the river.

55 Caution. — Small craft operators have re-

ported striking two submerged obstructions between

the west side of Bois Blanc Island and the Livingstone Chan-

nel dyke.

56 There are several small wharves and mar-

inas in the area of Amherstburg Channel.

57 Amherstburg Yacht Club, 1 mile (1.8 km) farther

north, has depths of 1 to 2 ft (0.3 to 0.6 m) and oers dockage,

ramp, pump-out, drinking water, some groceries, restrooms,

showers, Wi-Fi, ice and gasoline and diesel fuel.

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 7, partial]

58 Grosse Ile, MI, about 8 statute miles [7 nm] long

and 1.5 statute miles [1.3 nm] wide, is the largest island

in the Detroit River. It extends along the west side of the

dredged river channels from about the midpoint of upper

Livingstone Channel north to about the midpoint of Fight-

ing Island Channel opposite the city of Wyandotte, MI. Tren-

ton Channel separates the west side of the island from the

mainland. The north end of the island, Point Hennepin,

MI, is a waste disposal site; the rest of the island consists

mostly of residential communities and private facili-

ties.

59 Thorofare Canal, a large shallow drainage ditch

about 3.5 [3] miles long, crosses the body of Grosse

Ile in a northeast-southwest direction. Several highway

bridges and overhead cables cross this ditch. Passage should

not be attempted without local knowledge.

60 A slow-no wake speed is enforced within 1,000 feet

[305 m] of shore of Grosse Ile, except in Trenton Channel

and in the channel between the northeast side of the island

and Mamajuda Island Shoal. A slow-no wake speed is en-

forced in Thorofare Canal and in the canals between Grosse

Ile and the small islands o its south end.

AMHERSTBURG COAST GUARD BASE (2019)

1-7

CHAPTER 1

Detroit River

Ballards Reef Channel

61 Ballards Reef Channel (42°09'N, 83°07'W)

is 2 miles (3.7 km) long from its southern end at the

junction with Limekiln Crossing Reach of the Amherstburg

Channel to its northern end at the junction with Fight-

ing Island Channel. The channel is well marked by buoys;

leading lights indicate the centre-line.

62 Caution. — Due to strong currents

at the junction of Livingstone Channel and

Ballards Reef Channel, mariners are cautioned to favour the

west side of the channel.

63 Three submerged cables cross the main shipping

channels near the junction of Ballards Reef Channel and

Livingstone Channel.

64 Caution. — The base of an old light struc-

ture lies 26 ft (7.9 m) north of Livingstone Channel

Upper Entrance light. This obstruction is submerged by

about 2 ft (0.6 m) and is marked by an uncharted red spar

buoy.

65 An auxiliary channel passing east of Fighting

Island joins Ballards Reef Channel and is marked by spar

buoys. All vessels whose draughts permit should use this

auxiliary channel in order to relieve congestion in the main

shipping channel.

66 Fort Malden leading lights, in line bear-

ing 162½°, are on the east shore opposite the Amherst-

burg leading lights. This range marks the centre-line

of Ballards Reef Channel. The front light (667) is shown

from a white skeleton tower, 22 ft (6.7 m) high, with a

uorescent-orange triangular daymark with a black verti-

cal stripe. The rear light (668) is shown from a white

skeleton tower, 52.2 ft (15.9 m) high, with a uorescent-

orange inverted triangular daymark with a black vertical

stripe. The lights are visible on the line of the range.

67 Light D77 (678), on a pier on the west side of

Ballards Reef Channel, is shown at an elevation of 37

ft (11.3 m) from a white square structure with a green

vertical stripe on each corner and marked D77.

68 Canard River ows into Detroit River east of

Ballards Reef Channel. The channel leading to the river

entrance is marked by private buoys.

69 Anderdon Harbour Light Tavern, on the east shore

0.1 mile (0.2 km) north of Limekiln Crossing rear leading

light, has depths of 1 to 5 ft (0.3 to 1.5 m) and oers dock-

age to their customers (overnight berthing by prior arrange-

ment).

70 Fighting Island (42°13'N, 83°07'W), in Can-

adian waters east of the main shipping channel, is a marsh or

waste bed fill and gravel island 3 miles (5.6 km) long

and 0.4 mile (0.7 km) wide with an elevation of 13 ft

FIGHTING ISLAND FROM SOUTH (2019)

CEN 304

Detroit River — Lake St. Clair — St. Clair River

1-8

(4 m). Many swans and bald eagles are reported living in

this area. Turkey Island, low and marshy with a few trees,

and Grassy Island lie between Fighting Island and the

Canadian mainland.

71 The community of La Salle (42°14'N,

83°06'W), population 30 180 (2016), lies east of the

north end of Fighting Island.

72 Several submerged cables cross the channel

between La Salle and Fighting Island.

73 There are many marinas at La Salle and

along the mainland side of the channel east of Fighting

Island. La Salle is a Customs telephone reporting site/

marine for pleasure craft.

74 Acali Place Marina, 2 miles (3.7 km) south of

La Salle, has depths of 2 ft (0.6 m) in the approaches and

3 ft (0.9 m) at the wharves and oers dockage with power

and water, pump out, ramp, repairs, 20-tonne hoist, pic-

nic and camping area,showers and ice. Under new owner-

ship in 2018.

75 Boat Doctor’s River Run Marina, 0.15 mile

(0.27 km) north of Acali Place Marina, has depths of 2 ft

(0.6 m) in the approaches and up to 4 ft (1.2 m) at the

wharves and oers dockage with power and water, ramp,

32-tonne hoist, picnic area, camping, showers, ice and

inside storage. The entrance channel to this marina is

privately buoyed.

76 Mueller’s Marina, next north, has depths of 3 ft

(0.9 m) in the approaches and 5 ft (1.5 m) at the wharves

and oers dockage with power and water, ramp and picnic

area.

77 Riverfront Harbour Marina, a private facility

just north of Mueller’s Marina, has depths of 1 ft (0.3 m).

78 St. Clair Marine, 1.6 miles (3 km) south of

La Salle, has depths of l ft (0.3 m) in the approaches and 1

to 2 ft (0.3 to 0.6 m) at the wharves and oers dockage

with power and water, repairs, 30-tonne hoist, mast stepper,

winter storage and boat hardware.

79 La Salle Mariner’s Yacht Club, a private club

0.1 mile (0.2 km) north of St. Clair Marine, has depths of 5

to 13 ft (1.5 to 4 m).

80 Island View Marine Store & Marina, on the east

shore opposite Grassy Island, has depths of 2 ft (0.6 m)

and oers dockage with power and water, pump out, ramp,

repairs and salvage, 15-tonne hoist, boat sales and service,

boat hardware, picnic area, showers, ice, some groceries,

bait, tackle and snack bar.

81 Beattie’s Sunset Marina (formerly Pilot House

Marina), next north, has depths of 2 to 3 ft (0.6 to 0.9 m)

and oers dockage with power and water, ramp, repairs,

25-tonne hoist, picnic area, swimming pool, showers,

laundromat, ice, and snack bar and restaurant with licensed

dining room. It was for sale in 2017.

82 Holiday Harbour Marina, home of the Sun

Parlour Boat Club, 0.1 mile (0.2 km) farther north, has

depths of 4 to 5 ft (1.2 to 1.5 m) and oers dockage with

power and water, ramp, engine repairs, 15-tonne hoist,

shing boat rentals, picnic area, showers, ice, boat hardware,

a swimming pool and recreation hall, used boat sales, and

a taxi shuttle to Windsor Casino. There is a privately

maintained light on each side of the entrance. It was for

sale in 2017.

83 Mona’s Place, on the east shore 0.2 mile (0.4 km)

north of Grassy Island, has depths of 3 to 5 ft (0.9 to 1.5 m)

and oers water, pump out, ramp, snack bar, ice, gasoline

and diesel fuel. Mona’s Place is a Customs telephone

reporting site/marine for pleasure craft.

84 Westport Marina, at La Salle, has depths of 5

to 6 ft (1.5 to 1.8 m) and oers dockage with power and

water, pump out, ramp, repairs, 35-tonne hoist, boat hard-

ware, marine electronics repair, showers and ice. It was for

sale in 2018.

85 Park Haven Marina, 0.15 mile (0.27 km) farther

north, has depths of 1 to 2 ft (0.3 to 0.6 m) and oers

dockage with power and water, pump out, repairs, 5-tonne

hoist, new and used boat parts, picnic area, showers and ice.

Fighting Island Channel

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 7, partial]

86 Fighting Island Channel extends from the upper

end of Ballards Reef Channel, about 2 [1.7] miles below

the head of Grosse Ile, along the west side of Fighting

Island to the natural deep water north of Fighting Island.

A Federal project provides for a depth of 28.5 feet [8.7 m]

in Fighting Island Channel. (See Notice to Mariners and

latest edition of charts for controlling depths.)

87 Anchorage.–A deep-draft anchorage, marked on

the west side by buoys, is on the west side of the south end

of Fighting Island Channel. The anchorage is used when

conditions are unfavorable for proceeding through the con-

ned deep channels leading south into Lake Erie. Vessels

using this anchorage should be careful to avoid Mamajuda

Island Shoal, a long shoal extending from the north end

of Grosse Isle (Point Hennepin) into the north side of the

anchorage.

88 A buoyed natural channel leads north from the

northwest part of the anchorage between the upper end

of Grosse Ile and Mamajuda Island Shoal and joins

with Trenton Channel at Wyandotte, MI. The controlling

depth in the channel is about 21 feet [6.4 m].

1-9

CHAPTER 1

Detroit River

89 Fighting Island North light (684.3), on a

pier on the east side of the north entrance to Fighting

Island Channel, is shown at an elevation of 34.8 ft (10.6 m)

from a white cylindrical tower, with a red upper part.

90 A submerged water intake extending from the

United States’ shore passes under Trenton Channel,

Grassy Island and Fighting Island Channel to an intake crib

200 ft (61 m) east of Fighting Island Channel. The intake

crib is marked at each end by a privately maintained light.

Several other submerged pipelines cross Fighting Island

Channel and Trenton Channel.

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 7, partial]

91 ENCs US5MI21M, US5MI22M, US5MI30M,

US5MI28M, US5MI29M, Charts 14848, 14854,

14853.–Ecorse Channel is a buoyed, natural deep

water channel that follows the curve of the Michigan

shoreline from the junction of Fighting Island Chan-

nel and Trenton Channel southwest for about 1.2

[1] miles to its lower junction with Trenton Channel.

Between the upper and lower junctions, Ecorse Chan-

nel is separated from Trenton Channel by Mud Island,

MI and the shoals that extend northeast and southwest

from it. Ecorse Channel has a controlling depth of about

10 feet [3 m] at its northeast end, with deeper water in the

lower part. Ecorse, MI, is on the west side of the channel

at the mouth of the Ecorse River.

92 A slow-no wake speed is enforced within

1,000 feet [305 m] of shore in the waters of the Detroit

River adjacent to the city of Ecorse.

93 Trenton Channel extends from the north end

of Fighting Island Channel southwest to the Mich-

igan shore, thence south along the shore for about 6

[5.2] miles to a turning basin at the upper end of the

city of Trenton, thence 3 [2.6] miles to another turn-

ing basin at the lower end of the city. The dredged channel,

marked by buoys, is separated from the main part of the

Detroit River by Grassy Island and Grosse Ile. (See Notice

to Mariners and latest editions of charts for controlling

depths.)

94 From the lower end of the Trenton Channel lower

turning basin, a depth of about 6 feet [1.8 m] can be car-

ried through the narrow, crooked natural channels between

Grosse Ile and the mainland to the town of Gibraltar and the

open river below Grosse Ile.

95 The Grosse Ile Toll highway bridge, a swing span

with a clearance of 10 feet [3 m], crosses Trenton Channel 2.2

[1.9] miles below Point Hennepin. The Grosse Ile Park-

way bridge, crossing Trenton Channel just above the lower

turning basin, has a swing span with a clearance of 18 feet

[5.5 m]. (See 33 CFR 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.631,

chapter 2 [of U.S. Coast Pilot 6], for drawbridge regula-

tions.)

96 Wyandotte, MI, fronts Trenton Channel for

about 3 [2.6] miles opposite Point Hennepin. The city is an

important industrial center, and numerous stacks in the city

are prominent from the river.

97 A slow-no wake speed is enforced within 1,000 feet

[305 m] of shore in the waters of the Detroit River adjacent to

the city of Wyandotte.

98 Towage.–Tugs for Wyandotte are available from

Detroit. (See Towage under Detroit.)

99 Wharves.–City of Wyandotte, Power Plant

Wharf: 0.5 [0.4] mile north of Point Hennepin; 630 feet

[192 m] of berthing space; 18 to 23 feet [5.5 to 7 m]

alongside; deck height, 8 feet [2.4 m]; open storage for

60,000 tons [54,431 tonnes] of coal; receipt of coal;

owned and operated by City of Wyandotte.

100 Small-craft facilities.–Several marinas in the north

part of the city provide transient berths, gasoline, diesel fuel,

water, ice, electricity, sewage pump-out, launching ramps,

and marine supplies. Lifts to 45 tons [40.8 tonnes] are avail-

able for hull, engine, and radio equipment repairs.

101 Trenton, MI, just south of Wyandotte, fronts Tren-

ton Channel opposite Grosse Ile for about 4 [3.5] miles.

The stacks of the Detroit Edison Co., 0.5 [0.4] mile south-

west of the Grosse Ile Parkway bridge, are prominent from

the river, especially from the south.

102 Towage.–Tugs for Trenton are available from De-

troit. (See Towage under Detroit.)

103 Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agri-

cultural quarantine.–(See chapter 3 [of U.S. Coast Pilot 6],

Vessel Arrival Inspections, and appendix [of U.S. Coast

Pilot 6] for addresses.)

104 Quarantine is enforced in accordance with the

regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public

Health Service, chapter 1 [of U.S. Coast Pilot 6].)

105 A slow-no wake speed is enforced within 1,000 feet

[305 m] of shore within the limits of Trenton.

106 Wharves.–Trenton has three deep-draft facilities;

the alongside depths are reported depths. For information

on the latest depths, contact the operators.

107 Small-craft facilities.–Two marinas at Trenton

provide gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, electricity, marine

supplies, a 10-ton [9.1-tonne] hoist, and launching ramps.

108 ENCs US5MI21M, US5MI30M, US5MI28M,

US5MI29M, Charts 14848, 14853.–Gibraltar, MI is a

town on the Michigan mainland opposite the south end of

Grosse Ile, about 2 [1.7] miles below the Trenton Channel

lower turning basin. Private lights and a private 239°

lighted range mark the entrance channel to Gibraltar from

the Detroit River. The range should be followed closely

because of rocks along the south side of the channel. A

CEN 304

Detroit River — Lake St. Clair — St. Clair River

1-10

slow-no wake speed is enforced within 500 feet [152.4 m]

of shore within the limits of Gibraltar. Marinas inside the

entrance channel provide gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice,

sewage pump out, and marine supplies. Hoist to 40 tons

[36.3 tonnes] are available for hull and engine repairs.

109 Lake Erie Metropark Marina, developed by

the Michigan State Waterways Commission, about 3

[2.6] miles south of Gibraltar, provides transient berths

with electricity, water, and sewage pump-out for boats no

greater than 30 feet [9.1 m]. The entrance is marked by pri-

vate lighted and unlighted buoys and a 270° lighted range.

110 Above Fighting Island, for about 9 [7.8] miles to

Belle Isle, the Detroit River narrows into a single channel

from 0.35 to 0.5 [0.3 to 0.43] mile wide. In this stretch the

river is generally clear, with depths of 29 to 43 feet [8.8 to

13.1 m] at midriver. Buoys mark the principal shoals that

extend o the banks of the river.

111 Wharves.–There are several deep-draft facili-

ties along the west side of the river between the north end

of Fighting Island and the mouth of the River Rouge, 2

[1.7] miles upstream. (For a complete description of the

facilities, refer to Port Series No. 45, published and sold

by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. See Appendix A [of

U.S. Coast Pilot 6] for address.) …

112 Repairs.–Nicholson Terminal and Dock Co.

operates a oating drydock at the inner end of their pier.

The 2,500-ton [2,268-tonne] drydock is 170 feet [51.8 m]

long with a width of 50 to 55 feet [15.2 to 16.8 m] and

a depth of 13 feet [4 m] over the keel blocks. Portable

equipment is available for making general repairs to ves-

sels at berth anywhere in the harbor.

113 ENCs US5MI21M, US5MI22M, US5MI30M,

US5MI28M, US5MI29M, US5MI22M, Charts 14848,

14853, 14854.–River Rouge discharges into the De-

troit River at the south end of the city of Detroit, about 2

[1.7] miles above Fighting Island. A Federal project has

improved River Rouge as far as a turning basin about 2.5

[2.2] miles above the entrance.

114 Short Cut Canal 21 is the section at the entrance

to River Rouge from Detroit River to the junction with

Old Channel. The canal avoids the large bend in the old

river channel (Old Channel) at the lower part of River

Rouge, and shortens the distance to facilities upstream by

more than 1 [0.8] mile. The connection between Short Cut

Canal 21 and Old Channel has created Zug Island, which

is occupied by large industrial corporations.

115 The Federal Project provides for a depth of 21 feet

[6.4 m] in Short Cut Canal 21 and River Rouge to a turning

basin at the head of the project, with 21 feet [6.4 m] in the

basin. Old Channel has a project depth of 25 feet [7.6 m]

from the entrance to just below the rst bascule bridge,

thence 18 feet [5.5 m] to about 0.5 [0.4] mile above the

FIGHTING ISLAND ANCHORAGE AND ZUG ISLAND FROM NE (2018)

1-11

CHAPTER 1

Detroit River

mouth, thence 17 feet [5.2 m] to the junction with Short Cut

Canal 21. (For detailed channel information and minimum

depths as reported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

(USACE), use NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts.

Surveys and channel condition reports are available through

the USACE hydrographic survey website listed in Appendix

A. [of U.S. Coast Pilot 6]) The north side of the entrance

to Short Cut Canal 21 is marked by a lighted buoy. Rapid

shoaling occurs in the canal and river because of the soft

bottom. A number of cables, water mains, and tunnels cross

under the canal and river; masters should exercise caution

when dropping anchors.

116 Regulations.–A speed limit of 4 mph

[3.5 knots] is enforced in River Rouge and Short Cut Can-

al 21. (See 33 CFR 162.130 through 162.140, chapter 2

[of U.S. Coast Pilot 6], for navigation regulations.)

117 Wharves.–Both sides of River Rouge and Short

Cut Canal 21 are lined by industrial corporations and their

deep-draft facilities. The alongside depths given in the

table are reported depths; for information on the latest

depths contact the operator. Many of the facilities have

railway, water, and electrical shore-power connections.

118 Supplies.–Bunker fuel is available at several fa-

cilities in the river, or by barge or truck. A supply company

on the west side of Old Channel has supplies and provi-

sions.

Fighting Island to Lake St. Clair

Charts 14853, 14848

119 The upper Detroit River extends 13 miles (24 km)

from the north end of Fighting Island Channel to Lake

Major Port Facilities Windsor Harbour

Name Wharf Length Depth † Elevation †† Remarks

ft (m) ft (m) ft (m) Note: All information in this table was provided by local authorities.

User should consult local authorities for latest conditions.

Sterling fuels Sterling fuels 1,000 (305) 27 (8.2) 8 (2.4) Complete vessel bunkering facility, operation all year, 24 hours a day.

Windsor Port Authority Open storage area of 12 acres (5 ha) for stone, sand and bulk materials.

Confederation Dock Canada Building Materials Company cement mixing plant occupies NW corner of wharf.

Canada Building Materials Slip 760 (232) ― Slip not used for docking vessels.

River front 315 (96) 27 (8.2) For self-unloading vessels.

Windsor Port Authority Open storage area of 25 acres (10 ha) for stone, sand and bulk materials.

Lafarge Construction Materials 806 (246) 25 (7.6) 4 (1.2) For self-unloading vessels. Operated by Lafarge Construction Materials.

Adams Cartage Slip 850 (259) 16 (4.9) Open storage for 90,720 tonnes, also covered storage. Not in use in 1995.

River front 150 (45.7) 25 (7.6) 4 (1.2)

Pyramid Aggregates 450 (137) 20 (6.1) 3 (0.9) Open storage area of 150,000 sq ft (13,935 m²). Not in use in 1995.

Premier Concrete Dock Ltd. 1,000 (305) 21 (6.4) 3 (0.9) Used by the owners for handling building aggregates and bulk cement into silos.

Open storage area of 13.4 acres (5.4 ha).

Canadian Pacic Railway 150 (45.7) 25 (7.6) 4 (1.2) Railroad ferry terminal. Ceased operations in May 1994.

Dieppe Park Dock 800 (244) 26 (7.9) 4 (1.2) Owned by the City of Windsor. Used by visiting non-commercial ships.

Administered by the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Canadian National Railways 36 (11) 4 (1.2) Railroad ferry terminal. Ceased operations.

Canadian Salt Co. Ltd. 730 (223) 26 (7.9) 7 (2.1) Open storage area of 300,000 sq ft (27,900 m²).

Ojibway Mine Road and railway connections.

ADM Grainco 1,278 (389) 27 (8.2) 6 (1.8) An elevator with a capacity of 105,000 tonnes of grain handles soya beans, corn, wheat, or oil

seeds, as well as meal from the adjacent ADM-Agri Industries Ltd. plant.

Modern conveyor equipment for loading and unloading. Access to major railways and highways.

Windsor Grain Terminal

Morterm Limited. Slip 2,400 (732) 16 to 23 ft Terminal area of 180 acres (73 ha). Direct railway and road connections.

(4.9 to 7m) 157,000 sq ft (14,587 m²) of covered storage. 15 fork-lift trucks, 2 mobile cranes.

River front 750 (229) 27 (8.2) Open storage area of 50 acres (20 ha).

Ontario Hydro

J. Clark Keith Generating Station 730 (223) 21 (6.4) 3 (0.9) Not in use in 1995.

Southwestern Sales West Dock 1,400 (427) 21 (6.4) 2 (0.6) Open storage area of 21 acres (8.5 ha). Road and railway connections.

Canadian Salt Co. Ltd.

Sandwich Dock 410 (125) 27 (8.2) 4 (1.2) Operated by the Van de Hogen Group for handling inbound shipments of lumber.

Kennette Contracting Co. Ltd. 450 (137) 26 (7.9) 5 (1.5) Open storage area of 21 acres (8.5 ha) for bulk materials.

Road and railway connections. Privately owned. Not in use in 1995.

Van de Hogen Material Handling Inc. 410 (125) 26 (7.9) 4 (1.2) Major storage and distribution centre with complete handling capabilities. 56 acres (22.6 ha) of

open storage; 80,000 sq ft (7,433 m²) of covered storage.

Coco Harbour Terminals 630 (192) 28 (8.5) 4 (1.2) Available for receiving and storing aggregate.

Hiram Walker and Sons Ltd. 2,200 (671) 24 (7.3) 6 (1.8) Private wharf receiving bulk grain from self-unloading vessel up to 750 feet (229 m) in length.

Ford Motor Company of Canada Ltd. 1,800 (549) 8 (2.4)

Open storage area 1,800 x 200 feet (549 x 61 m), bulk materials including sand from

self-unloading vessels. Private dock.

Southwestern Sales East Dock 700 (213) 28 (8.5) 3 (0.9) Bulk storage with a rubble wall. Stone and sand discharged by self-unloading vessels only.

† Depth below chart datum. †† Elevation above chart datum.

CEN 304

Detroit River — Lake St. Clair — St. Clair River

1-12

St. Clair. Fleming Channel, at the head of the river, leads

south of Belle Isle to Lake St. Clair.

120 Detroit River is a designated pilotage

area. There are pilot exchange points south of

Ambassador Bridge (42°19'N, 83°04'W) and in Lake

Huron o the head of St. Clair River. For more informa-

tion on pilotage, consult Sailing Directions booklet

CEN 300 — General Information, Great Lakes, the Annual

Edition of Notices to Mariners and Radio Aids to Marine

Navigation (Atlantic, St. Lawrence, Great Lakes, Lake Win-

nipeg, Arctic and Pacic).

121 An anchorage area north of Fighting Island is

4000 ft (1219 m) long and 800 ft (243.8 m) wide,

with depths of 29 to 35 ft (8.8 to 10.7 m). The SE corner is

marked by a light buoy.

122 An obstruction charted near the middle of the

anchorage area is an unknown amount of anchor cable.

123 Fighting Island North Anchorage light (688),

on the east shore at the north end of the anchorage

area, is shown at an elevation of 31.8 ft (9.7 m) from a

yellow cylindrical mast with a yellow square daymark

with a black anchor symbol in the centre.

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 7, partial]

124 The most prominent feature on the Detroit

River is the Renaissance Center (42°19'44"N.,

83°02'24"W.). The ashing light atop the building is

reported to be visible for more than 20 [17.4] miles.

Port of Windsor

125 Port of Windsor (42°19'N, 83°04'W) extends

for 14 miles (25.9 km) along the Canadian shores of Detroit

River and Lake St. Clair. The SW limit of the harbour is a

straight line drawn from Fighting Island North light at the

International Boundary in a 046½° direction to the shore. The

NE limit of the port is the northerly extension of the east

limit of the city of Windsor to the International Boundary.

126 The city of Windsor, with a population of

217 188 (2016) and a metropolitan area population of

329 144, has more than 500 industries and is a major

Canadian automobile manufacturing centre. Windsor is the

principal outlet for Ontario agricultural products; major

canning companies operating in Windsor take advantage of

the extended growing season and crop varieties. Windsor is

also the home of Ontario’s rst major casino.

PECHE ISLAND AND WINDSOR FROM N (2019)

1-13

CHAPTER 1

Detroit River

127 Windsor is a Customs land border reporting station

for passengers, general public, and commercial highway

traffic; a vessel clearing station for commercial trac;

and a telephone reporting site/marine for pleasure craft.

128 Immigration and agricultural inspection

facilities are also available at Windsor.

129 Port of Windsor is administered by the Windsor

Port Authority. Regulations, information and rates may be

obtained from the oce of the Port Authority at 3190 Sand-

wich Street, Windsor, ON, N9C 1A6.

130 Port of Windsor was used by 2381 ships, fer-

ries and barges in 2014, with a total of 5.4 million tonnes

of cargo. Commodities handled include aggregates, salt,

lumber, petroleum, general cargo, grain, other dry and liquid

bulk.

131 The normal navigation season is from April 15 to

December 15. Depending on weather conditions, navigation

may begin as early as March 20 and end as late as Janu-

ary 31. Local use of the harbour continues all year.

132 Tugs are available locally or from Detroit. Major

repairs can be carried out by Romeo Machine Shop. There is

no dry dock. Marine radar and radio repairs can be carried

out by KELCOM. Garbage service, heavy lift equipment

and fork lift trucks are available. Information on services

can be obtained from the Harbour Master.

133 (Windsor Harbour wharves are listed in the

table.)

134 (Shipyards in the Great Lakes area are listed in Sail-

ing Directions booklet CEN 300 — General Information,

Great Lakes.)

135 All types of marine supplies, stores, fresh provi-

sions and water are available in Windsor. Complete ship

bunkering services are available at the Sterling Fuels

wharf.

136 Windsor Port Authority monitors VHF Chan-

nel 14. Canadian and United States’ railroads service the

harbour. Transport truck lines operate between Windsor and

all parts of Ontario as well as the States of Michigan, Ohio,

Indiana and Illinois. Windsor International Airport oers

connections with other airports in Canada and the United

States, as well as charter ights to the Caribbean.

137 Conspicuous objects in Windsor are the chimney

at Hiram Walker and Sons; the lighted Home of Canadian

Club sign WSW of Belle Isle; and the church cupolas

between the Ford plant and Hiram Walker and Sons.

138 Ambassador Bridge, connecting Windsor and

Detroit, carries vehicular trac. This bridge has a high-

level suspension span with a vertical clearance of 156 ft

(47.5 m) above chart datum for a width of 100 ft (30.5 m)

at mid-channel; the vertical clearance decreases to 133 ft

(40.5 m) over the main shipping channel, on each side of

the river.

139 Five overhead power cables, with a vertical clearance

of 165 ft (50.3 m), cross the river 1.5 miles (2.8 km) SW of

Ambassador Bridge. The cables are supported on each shore

by a skeleton tower, 292 ft (89 m) high; both towers have air

obstruction lights.

140 A submerged cable crosses the river near the

overhead power cables; a submerged pipeline and a

submerged power cable cross the river 0.2 mile (0.4 km)

SW of the overhead power cables. Another submerged

pipeline crosses north of the anchorage area.

141 Canadian Maritime Transport operates a truck ferry

just downstream of the Morterm terminal. Cargoes handled

include hazardous materials and oversize/overweight tractor

trailers.

142 Caution. — Two tunnels connect Wind-

sor and Detroit. The ConRail tunnel lies 0.75 mile

(1.4 km) ENE of Ambassador Bridge; the Detroit-Windsor

tunnel, for general highway trac, is 0.9 mile (1.7 km)

farther east. Mariners are cautioned not to anchor near the tun-

nels.

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 7, partial]

143 A shoal with a least depth of 14 feet [4.3 m] ex-

tends o the U.S. shoreline between the two tunnels. Buoys

mark the upper and lower ends of the shoal.

144 Anchorage.–A designated deep-draft anchor-

age is in U.S. waters between the upper tunnel and Belle

Isle. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.206, chapter 2 [of

U.S. Coast Pilot 6], for limits and regulations.)

145 Small-craft facility.–A public docking facility

constructed by the city and the Michigan State Waterways

Commission is on the north side of the river about 2.8

[2.4] miles above the Ambassador Bridge. Water, electri-

city, and sewage pump-out station are available.

146 The harbormaster assigns berths.

147 Peche Island, formerly a provincial park, is in the

east part of Port of Windsor at the Detroit River entrance;

in 2014 there were no facilities for boaters. A natural

channel passing south of Peche Island is marked by buoys.

148 A submerged pipeline and a submerged power

cable cross the channel south of Peche Island. Another

submerged power cable leads in a NE and north direction

to the Peche Island leading lights (described in Chap-

ter 2).

149 HMCS Hunter Naval Reserve has opened a facility

at the former Mill Cove Marina, on the east shore 0.5 mile

SW of Ambassador Bridge.

150 Lakeview Park Marina, a municipal marina

on the mainland south of Peche Island, has depths of

4 to 8 ft (1.2 to 2.4 m) and oers dockage with power and

water, pump out, ramp, picnic area, showers, laun-

CEN 304

Detroit River — Lake St. Clair — St. Clair River

1-14

dromat, snack bar, restaurant with licensed dining room, ice,

gasoline and diesel fuel, and monitored VHF Channel 68.

Privately maintained lights, on posts 17 ft (5.2 m)

high, are shown at the entrance to the marina. A disused

lighthouse on the SW side of the marina makes a good

landmark; it is white with a red top.

151 Windsor Yacht Club, a private club on the

mainland SW of Peche Island, has depths of 3 to 5 ft (0.9 to

1.5 m) and monitored VHF Channel 68; there is a privately

maintained light at the entrance.

152 Riverside Marina, between Windsor Yacht Club

and Lakeview Park Marina, has depths of 2 to 5 ft (0.6 to

1.5 m) and oers dockage with power and water, pump

out, ramp, picnic area, showers, ice and gasoline.

153 Anchor-In Marine Ltd., a repair facility at

Riverside Marina, has depths of 5 ft (1.5 m) and offers

service slips, ramp, repairs and salvage, boat hardware,

canvas repairs, 10-tonne hoist, ice and stove alcohol.

154 Fleming Channel (42°20'N, 82°58'W), the main

river channel, passes south of Belle Isle and north of

Peche Island. The west part of the channel is through nat-

ural deep water; the channel is dredged from the middle part

of Belle Isle east to Lake St. Clair and is marked by lighted

buoys.

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 7, partial]

155 Belle Isle, MI, about 3 statute miles [2.6 nm]

long and 1 statute mile [0.9 nm] wide, is in midriver near

the upper end of the Detroit River. … Belle Isle Light

(42°20′24″N., 82°57′35″W.), 30 feet [9.1 m] above the

water, is shown from a pile on the southeast point of the

island and marks the north side of Fleming Channel.

156 A Federal project provides for a depth of 28.5 feet

[8.7 m] in the dredged sections of Fleming Channel from

mid-length of Belle Isle to about 0.3 [0.26] mile northeast

of Peche Island Range Front Light, thence 27.5 feet [8.4 m]

to Peche Island Channel in Lake St. Clair. (See Notice

to Mariners and latest edition of charts for controlling

depths.)

157 A 074°–254° measured mile is reported on the

south side of Belle Isle.

158 William Livingstone Memorial Light

(42°20'49"N., 82°57'16"W.), 58 feet [17.7 m] above the

water, shown from a white pyramidal monument on the

east end of Belle Isle, is a 247° leading light marking the

entrance to the Detroit River from Lake St. Clair.

159 Generally, only local and pleasure craft use

the channel on the north side of Belle Isle. The lower

entrance is marked by a lighted buoy which marks a

6-foot [1.8-m] shoal that extends 0.5 [0.4] mile from

the west end of Belle Isle. Scott Middle Ground, MI is

an extensive shoal area, with depths to 1 foot [0.3 m],

between Belle Isle and the U.S. shore. Natural channels

marked by buoys lead north and south of the shoal. The

north channel has a controlling depth of about 18 feet

[5.5 m]. Above Scott Middle Ground, a 12-foot [3.7-m]

spot is marked on its north side by a buoy in midchannel

north of Belle Isle. The upper entrance to the chan-

nel north of Belle Isle is through a dredged channel. A

fixed highway bridge (Douglas McArthur Bridge) with a

clearance of 32 feet [9.8 m] crosses from Detroit to the

lower end of Belle Isle.

160 Erma Henderson Boat Marina, developed by

the Michigan State Waterways Commission, is on the

mainland side of the channel north of Belle Isle. The mar-

ina provides transient berths, electricity, water, ice and

sewage pump-out. The entrance is marked by private

lights.

161 … Peche Island Light (42°20'54"N.,

82°56'33"W.), 44 feet [13.4 m] above the water, is shown

from a cylindrical tower with a triangular red daymark

on the northwest side of the shoal o the west end of the

island. The light marks the southeast side of Fleming

Channel, but should not be passed close aboard because

of protective riprap. A lighted buoy at the west extrem-

ity of the shoal marks the north side of the entrance to a

buoyed natural deepwater channel that leads from Fleming

Channel around the south side of Peche Island into Lake

St. Clair. The depths in Lake St. Clair at the outer end of

the channel are about 8 feet [2.4 m].

162 Windmill Point Light (42°21'27"N., 82°55'48"W.),

42 feet [12.8 m] above the water, is shown from a white

conical tower on a concrete base on the north side of the

entrance to the Detroit River.

163 Detroit, MI, fronts the northwest side of the

Detroit River from the mouth of Old Channel of River

Rouge northeast to the head of the river. It is a major

industrial city and the center of the U.S. automobile

industry. The chief waterborne commerce is in coal,

petroleum products, limestone, steel, iron ore and

pellets, and general and containerized cargo.

164 Anchorage.–Anchorage in the Detroit

River is restricted by Federal regulations. (See

33 CFR 162.136, chapter 2 [of U.S. Coast Pilot 6],

for regulations.) If weather conditions preclude passage

through the river, vessels generally hold up or anchor

in Lake Erie if northbound or in Lake Huron if south-

bound. Vessels awaiting berths, weather, or other condi-

tions occasionally anchor on the northwest side of the

river below Belle Isle. (See 33 CFR 110.206, chapter 2

[of U.S. Coast Pilot 6], for boundaries and regulations.)

165 Towage.–Tugs to 2,200 and 2,000 hp are

available for Detroit from Gaelic Tugboat Co. or

1-15

CHAPTER 1

Detroit River

Great Lakes Towing Co., respectively. Tugs of the for-

mer company moor in the River Rouge; from the latter

moor about 1.3 [1.1] miles south of the River Rouge, on

the west bank of Detroit River.

166 Arrangements for the Great Lakes Towing Co.

tugs are made through the dispatcher in Cleveland at

800-321-3663 or on VHF-FM via remote antenna. At

least 3 hours advance notice is requested. The Gaelic

Tugboat Co. dispatcher in Detroit is reached at

313-841-9440 or on VHF-FM channel 16.

167 Detroit is a customs port of entry.

168 Quarantine, customs, immigration, and

agricultural quarantine.–(See chapter 3 [of U.S. Coast

Pilot 6], Vessel Arrival Inspections, and appendix [of

U.S. Coast Pilot 6] for addresses.)

169 Quarantine is enforced in accordance with the

regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public

Health Service, chapter 1 [of U.S. Coast Pilot 6].)

170 Coast Guard.–A Sector Office and a Coast

Guard base are at Detroit. (See Appendix A [of

U.S. Coast Pilot 6] for address.) Belle Isle Coast

Guard Station is on the southeast side of Belle Isle.

171 Wharves.–Detroit has numerous deep-draft

facilities along the Detroit River. (For a complete

description of the port facilities, refer to Port Series

No. 45, published and sold by the U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers. See Appendix A [of U.S. Coast Pilot 6] for

address.) … Most of the facilities listed have rail and

highway connections and some have water and elec-

trical shore-power connections.

172 Supplies.–Marine supplies and provisions of all

types are available at Detroit. Water is available at many

of the wharves. Number 1, 2, and 6 fuel oils are avail-

able, mostly by barge, but by truck at some locations

and by pipeline at the Shell Oil Co. and Texaco docks

in River Rouge.

173 Repairs.–Detroit has no facilities for dry-

docking deep-draft vessels, but medium-draft vessels may

drydock at the Nicholson Terminal and Dock Co. Pier,

1.4 [1.2] miles below the mouth of Short Cut Canal 21.

Detroit Boat Basin, Inc., opposite the north side of Belle

Isle, performs repairs to pleasure and occasionally small

commercial craft. A 200-ton [181-tonne] marine railway

with 7 feet [2.1 m] over the keel blocks, a 20-ton [18-tonne]

marine elevator, and machine, carpenter, welding, and

paint shops are available. The largest vessel handled by

the marine railway is 135 feet [41.1 m].

174 Small-craft facilities.–Detroit has several

small-craft facilities, most of which are opposite the head

of Belle Isle. Transient berths, gasoline, diesel fuel, water,

ice, electricity, sewage pump-out facilities, marine sup-

plies, and a launching ramp are available. Hoists to 50 tons

[45 tonnes] and marine railways to 200 tons [181 tonnes]

are available for hull, engine, and electronic repairs.

175 The U.S. Postal Service operates a Marine

Post Oce at Detroit. A special mail boat delivers and

receives mail from vessels passing through the river, usually

meeting them at the Ambassador Bridge. Arrangements can

be made with 1 hour advance notice by contacting agent

“Westcott” on VHF-FM channels 10 or 16.

176 Communications.–Detroit has excellent rail and

highway connections. The city has several airports.

Lake St. Clair

Chapter 2

General

ENCs US4MI31M, US5MI30M, US5MI28M, US5MI29M, Charts

14853, 14850

1 Lake St. Clair is a shallow basin with low

marshy shores and a gently sloping bottom; the maximum

natural depth is 21 ft (6.4 m). Lake St. Clair, with its

ship channel improvements, is part of the connecting

waterway link between Lake Erie and Lake Huron. Local

knowledge is required to approach the shore outside the

buoyed channels.

2 An Ocean Data Acquisition System (ODAS)

meteorological light buoy, marked 45147, is moored in

mid-lake 12 miles (22.2 km) NE of Peche Island.

3 Caution. — There are few radar-conspicuous

objects around the shores of Lake St. Clair. Due to

the low-lying shoreline and normal variations in water

levels, radar distances from the shoreline do not give

accurate positions.

4 Depths for Lake St. Clair refer to an elevation of

572.3 ft (174.4 m) above IGLD 1985. More information

on chart datums is given in Sailing Directions booklet

CEN 300 — General Information, Great Lakes.

5 Charted depths in St. Lawrence Seaway channels

are reported to be maintained by periodic dredging. Latest

information on depths should be obtained from local

authorities. Controlling depths in the channels are

announced by United States Coast Guard Local Notice

to Mariners.

6 The elevation of the lake surface changes from

year to year. The water level is also subject to a seasonal

rise and fall, reaching its highest levels in the summer

months and its lowest in the winter. The water level also

uctuates due to changes in atmospheric pressure and to

wind action; winds are sometimes strong enough to drive

more surface water forward than can be carried back by

sub-surface currents, raising the water level on the lee shore

and lowering it on the weather shore. This eect is greater

in long narrow bays, especially if the converging shores of

the bay have a gradually sloping inshore bottom, such as

in Anchor Bay. These uctuations may amount to 1 foot

(0.3 m) or more and may have a period of several hours.

Lake St. Clair

U.S.A.

CANADA

Peche Island

St. Clair Cutoff

CEN 304

Detroit River — Lake St. Clair — St. Clair River

2-2

More information is given in Sailing Directions booklet

CEN 300 — General Information, Great Lakes.

7 Real-time water level information for Lake

St. Clair at Belle River is available from the Canadian

Hydrographic Service Automated Water Level Gauge,

telephone number 519-728-2882. (More information

on water levels is given in Sailing Directions booklet

CEN 300 — General Information, Great Lakes.)

8 A slight current ows in a SW direction

through Lake St. Clair. Between Askins Point

(42°20'N, 82°54'W) and Peche Island, the rate is much

greater because of the narrowing into Detroit River.

9 Lake St. Clair is a designated pilotage

area. There are pilot exchange points in Detroit

River south of Ambassador Bridge (42°19'N, 83°04'W)

and in Lake Huron o the head of St. Clair River. For more

information on pilotage, consult Sailing Directions booklet

CEN 300 — General Information, Great Lakes, the Annual

Edition of Notices to Mariners and Radio Aids to Marine

Navigation (Atlantic, St. Lawrence, Great Lakes, Lake

Winnipeg, Arctic and Pacic).

10 There are speed limits on Lake St. Clair for all

vessels with an overall length of 65.6 ft (20 m) or more.

The speed limits are listed in the St. Clair and Detroit River

Navigation Safety Regulations, quoted in Sailing Directions

booklet CEN 300 — General Information, Great Lakes.

These and other Canadian Government regulations are

available at: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/.

11 There are Marine Communications and

Trac Services (MCTS) calling-in points in Lake

St. Clair. For details consult the St. Clair and Detroit

River Navigation Safety Regulations and Radio Aids to

Marine Navigation (Atlantic, St. Lawrence, Great Lakes,

Lake Winnipeg, Arctic and Pacic).

12 Most of the marinas on the Canadian side of Lake

St. Clair are Customs telephone reporting site/marine for

pleasure craft: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/do-rb/services/

trsm-sdtm-eng.html.

Main ship channel

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 8, partial]

13 The main vessel route across Lake St. Clair is through

the dredged channel that leads from the head of the Detroit

River northeast for about 16 miles [13.9 nm] to St. Clair Cuto

Channel at the mouth of the St. Clair River. The channel is

well marked throughout its length by lights and lighted and

unlighted buoys, and at its lower end by a 227.7° lighted range

northeast of Peche Island. A racon is at the front range light.

The front range light is protected by riprap and should not be

passed close aboard, even by vessels of shallow draft. Lake

St. Clair Light (42°27'55"N., 82°45'15"W.), 52 feet [15.8 m]

above the water, is shown from a white square tower on a

cylindrical base on the northwest side of the channel at the

slight turn near its midpoint. A radar beacon (Racon) is

at the light.

14 The dredged channel through Lake St. Clair has a

Federal Project depth of 27 ft [8.2 m].

15 A dumping ground is on the southeast side of the

dredged channel near its lower end. Although new dumping

above a depth of 8 ft [2.4 m] is prohibited, there are shoals

considerably above that depth, and the dumping ground is

considered unsafe for navigation.

South coast of Lake St. Clair

ENC US4MI31M, Chart 14850

16 The south coast of Lake St. Clair is mainly at,

sandy and wooded, with scattered boulders along the

shore and many sheet pile seawalls and breakwaters for

shoreline protection. The town of Tecumseh, with a

population of 23 229 (2016), lies east of Windsor.

17 Beach Grove Golf and Country Club, a private

facility at Askins Point, 1.2 miles (2.2 km) ESE of Peche

Island, has depths of 2 to 3 ft (0.6 to 0.9 m); privately

maintained leading lights and light buoys marked a

channel to the club.

Pike Creek

18 Pike Creek (42°19'N, 82°51'W) is a small stream

entering Lake St. Clair 3.8 miles (7 km) ESE of Peche

Island. The entrance to the creek, between training walls, is

40 ft (12.2 m) wide. A highway bridge crossing Pike Creek

0.4 mile (0.7 km) from the entrance has a vertical clearance

of 7 ft (2.1 m).

19 A depth of 1 ft (0.3 m) can be carried as far

upstream as the highway bridge, though the entrance is weedy.

Privately maintained buoys mark the channel; these buoys

are reported to be moved to indicate the best approach.

20 Caution. — Pike Creek has a sand and silt

bottom and is subject to silting.

21 Pike Creek Entrance light (710.2), on the

east side of the harbour entrance, is shown at an

elevation of 21 ft (6.4 m) from a white mast with a port

hand daybeacon.

22 Pike Creek light (710.1), on the outer end of the

west training wall, is shown at an elevation of 20 ft (6.1 m)

from a white mast. This light is privately maintained.

CHAPTER 2

Lake St. Clair

2-3

23 A spherical-shaped water tower 1 mile (1.8 km)

SSE of Pike Creek light has an elevation of 142 ft (43.3 m)

and is oodlit. A water tower 2 miles (3.7 km) ESE of

Pike Creek is painted blue and yellow; this water tower

is marked Township of Maidstone and has air obstruction

lights. This second tower is prominent from oshore but is

hidden from some directions when within 1 mile (1.8 km)

of shore.

24 South Port Sailing Club, a private club and sailing

school on the west side of Pike Creek, 0.1 mile (0.2 km)

from the mouth, has depths of 2 ft (0.6 m).

25 Urban Surf Marina, on the east side of

Pike Creek, 0.4 mile (0.7 km) from the mouth, has

depths of 1 to 2 ft (0.3 to 0.6 m) and oers dockage with

power and water, ramp, and a 10-tonne hoist.

Puce River

26 Puce River (42°18'N, 82°47'W) is a small

stream 3 miles (5.6 km) ESE of Pike Creek. The entrance is

between two sheet steel piling walls 80 ft (24.4 m) apart.

27 Caution. — The entrance to Puce River is

subject to silting. A depth of 2 ft (0.6 m) can be

carried as far as Puce River Harbour Marina, where

depths shoal to 1 foot (0.3 m). Six privately maintained

buoys are reported to mark the best channel. A reported

depth of less than 1 foot (0.3 m) was found in this channel.

28 Rivière aux Puces light (710.3), on the

north end of the wall on the west side of the river

entrance, is shown at an elevation of 17.4 ft (5.3 m) from a

white mast.

29 A Canadian National Railways bridge crossing

Puce River 0.1 mile (0.2 km) from the lake has a vertical

clearance of 9 ft (2.7 m); a highway bridge close upstream

has a vertical clearance of 7 ft (2.1 m).

30 Puce River Harbour Marina, on the west

shore of Puce River north of the bridges, has depths

of 2 ft (0.6 m) and offers dockage with power and

water, pump out, ramp, 20-tonne hoist, boat hardware,

engine and hull repairs, salvage, personal watercraft rentals,

picnic area, showers, restaurant and licensed dining room,

bait, tackle, stove alcohol, ice and gasoline. Sandbar

Waterfront Grill is located on the premises.

Belle River

31 Belle River (42°18'N, 82°43'W), lies 3 miles

(5.6 km) east of Puce River. The town of Belle River,

now part of the amalgamated town of Lakeshore, with a

population of 36 611 (2016), is near the mouth of the river.

BELLE RIVER (2019)

CEN 304

Detroit River — Lake St. Clair — St. Clair River

2-4

32 The entrance to Belle River is protected on its

east side by a wall 0.3 mile (483 m) long. The outer part

of this wall is a curving boulder breakwall protecting the

entrance to a marina that lies on the east side of the wall. A

sheet steel piling wall on the west side of the river mouth

extends 225 ft (69 m) from shore. There is a starboard hand

daymark on the outer end of the west wall.

33 Caution. — The entrance channel to Belle

River is subject to silting; an area awash was found

in the entrance channel.

34 Belle River Pier light (711), on the outer

end of the boulder extension of the east entrance

wall, is shown from a white cylindrical tower, 23.6 ft

(7.2 m) high, with a red upper part.

35 The railway and highway bridges across Belle

River have vertical clearances of 9 and 7 ft (2.7 and 2.1 m),

respectively. A footbridge, close downstream of the railway

bridge, has a vertical clearance of 9.5 ft (2.9 m).

36 A water tower at Belle River is 125 ft (38.1 m)

high with an elevation of 131 ft (39.9 m); the tank is

painted white, with the words Belle River in large black

letters, and stands on four circular pillars. There is a

group of four silos 1 mile (1.8 km) east of Belle River. A

microwave tower 2.2 miles (4.1 km) SE of Belle River Pier

light has an elevation of 256 ft (78 m); a microwave tower

1.2 miles (2.2 km) farther SE has an elevation of 296 ft

(90.2 m); a microwave tower 1.5 miles (2.8 km) west of

Belle River has an elevation of 210 ft (64 m). These towers

have air obstruction lights.

37 A submerged pipeline 0.2 mile (370 m) east of

the Belle River entrance extends 0.67 mile (1221 m) o-

shore; the crib at the outer end has a depth of 8 ft (2.4 m).

38 Belle River Marina, on the east side of

the entrance to Belle River, has depths of 4 to 6 ft

(1.2 to 1.8 m) and oers dockage with power and water,

pump out, ramp, picnic area, showers,

laundromat, snack bar, ice and gasoline.

Ruscom River

39 Ruscom River (42°18'N, 82°37'W), which

ows into Lake St. Clair 4 miles (7.4 km) east of Belle

River, is subject to silting. The entrance channel has a

depth of 1 foot (0.3 m) and is marked by eight buoys, four

on each side; these buoys are reported to be moved to mark

the best approach. A privately maintained light is shown at

a height of 20 ft (6.1 m) from a agpole at the west side of

the entrance to Ruscom River.

40 The Canadian National Railways bridge,

0.1 mile (185 m) from the entrance, and the highway

bridge, 0.3 mile (555 m) farther south, have vertical

clearances of 10 ft (3 m), respectively.

41 The Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations

provide a speed limit of 4.9 knots (9 km/h) on Ruscom

River from its mouth to a second railway bridge, 2.2 km

(1.2 miles) upstream.

42 Quinlan’s Family Marina, on the east

shore near the mouth of the river, has depths of

1 foot (0.3 m and oers dockage with power and water,

pump out, ramp, ice and gasoline. Quinlan's Family Mar-

ina is a Customs telephone reporting

site/marine.

43 Deerbrook Marina, on the west side of Ruscom

River 0.2 mile (370 m) south of the lake, has depths of

2 to 3 ft (0.6 to 0.9 m) and oers dockage with power and

water, pump out, ramp, 18-tonne hoist, boat hardware,

repairs and salvage work, small boat rentals, picnic area,

camping, snack bar, bait, tackle, propane, ice and gasoline.

Deerbrook Marina is a Customs telephone reporting site/

marine.

44 Several overhead power cables span the

boat canals branching south from the marina basin on

Ruscom River.

Stoney Point

45 Stoney Point (42°19'N, 82°33'W) is a low, wide

point 7 miles (13 km) east of Belle River. It is wooded,

with homes and open areas along the shore. The trees

are 35 to 50 ft (10.7 to 15.2 m) in height, giving the land

a higher appearance. The community of Stoney Point/

Pointe-aux-Roches, now part of the amalgamated town of

Lakeshore, lies 0.6 mile (1.1 km) SSE of the Stoney Point.

46 A church spire at Stoney Point/Pointe-aux-Roches

is 131 ft (39.9 m) high and can be seen north and east of

Stoney Point; the spire has a cross.

47 A submerged water intake at Stoney Point

extends 0.7 mile (1.3 km) oshore; the crib at the outer

end has a depth of 3 ft (0.9 m).

Thames River

48 Thames River (42°19'N, 82°27'W) ows in a

generally east to west direction into the SE end of Lake

St. Clair; it is reached through a dredged channel 1.3 miles

(2.4 km) long. The river is navigable by small craft as

far as Louisville, which is 23 miles (42.6 km) upstream.

49 A submerged water intake 0.9 mile (1.7 km)

north of the mouth of Thames River extends 0.4 mile

(0.7 km) oshore; the crib at the outer end has a depth of

3 ft (0.9 m).

50 The entrance channel to Thames River is marked by

spar buoys; these may be moved to mark the best channel. A

least depth of 6 ft (1.8 m) was found in the buoyed channel.

CHAPTER 2

Lake St. Clair

2-5

From the mouth of Thames River, upstream for the 4.5 miles

(8.3 km) to St. Peter’s Church (42°21'N, 82°20'W), which

is on the south bank, mid-channel depths are 6 to 15 ft (1.8

to 4.6 m); this part of the river is 400 ft (121.9 m) wide.

51 Caution. — The entrance channel is

subject to silting and is reported to be maintained

by dredging.

52 The area SW of the river entrance is a grid of canals

separating strips of residential land. The south entrance

point of the river is low and grass-covered with a few trees.

Four more canals indent the south bank of the river within

0.2 mile (370 m) of the entrance. All the shoreline around

the south entrance is protected by sheet steel piling walls.

53 Thames River Entrance light (712) is shown

from a white cylindrical tower, with a starboard

hand daymark, on the rst point of land inside the south

entrance of the river.

54 The rst point, with the light, is low and mostly

paved or gravel-covered; it has a Public wharf at the outer

end and a launching ramp on the upriver side. The wharf is

185 ft (56.4 m) long, with depths of 8 to 13 ft (2.4 to 4 m).

The ramp is shallow.

55 The second point of land is grass-covered with a

few trees and residences. A conspicuous decommissioned

lighthouse stands near the outer end of the second point.

56 Thames River light buoy XT2 (711.4) lies

1.9 miles (3.5 km) NW of Thames River Entrance light.

57 Thames River Yacht Club, a private club on

the south side of Thames River, occupies the third

canal from the lake. The club has depths of 3 ft (0.9 m).

58 Cove Marina, entered o the fourth canal,

has depths of 13 ft (4 m) and oers dockage with

power and water, pump out, ramp, engine and hull repairs,

30-tonne hoist, picnic area, swimming pool, showers, snack

bar, restaurant with licensed dining room, some groceries

and ice, and monitored VHF Channel 68.

59 A Canadian Coast Guard Inshore

Rescue Boat is based at Thames River from the end

of May to early September each year, though these dates

are subject to change (see information on Search and

rescue in Sailing Directions booklet CEN 300 — General

Information, Great Lakes).

60 The Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations

provide a speed limit of 4.3 knots (8 km/h) on Thames River

from Lake St. Clair to a position close downstream of

Chatham, which is 16.7 miles (30.9 km) upstream.

61 Submerged cables, water intakes and gas pipelines

cross the river between its mouth and the city of Chatham.

It was reported that an overhead power cable also crosses

the river.

62 Baptiste Creek enters the south side of Thames

River 0.8 mile (1.4 km) from its mouth. A cut on the south

side 0.4 mile (0.7 km) farther up river is dredged through the

at low land to the Jeannettes Creek station of the Canadian

THAMES RIVER (2019)

CEN 304

Detroit River — Lake St. Clair — St. Clair River

2-6

National Railways. The mouth of Jeannettes Creek

is 0.6 mile (1.1 km) beyond this cut. Between Baptiste

Creek and Jeannettes Creek, the south shore of the river

is low and marshy and the banks are lined with willows;

there are many logs and deadheads. There are waterfront

residential properties on the north shore past Baptiste Creek.

63 Luken Marina, on the south side of Thames

River at the mouth of Baptiste Creek, has depths of

1 to 3 ft (0.3 to 0.9 m) and oers dockage with power and

water, pump out, engine repairs, salvage work, 15-tonne

hoist, camping, picnic area, showers, ice, gasoline and

diesel fuel.

64 An abandoned wharf was reported on the river

just west of the dredged cut leading to Jeannettes Creek

Station. Also reported was a concrete launching ramp at the

downstream end of the wharf.

65 (There is no chart coverage of Thames River east of

longitude 82°22.4'W.)

66 Prairie Siding, a station on the Canadian

National Railways, is on the south shore of the river 7 miles

(13 km) from the lake, where the river makes a sharp

horseshoe bend.

67 A swing bridge crosses Thames River 7.7 miles

(14.3 km) from the mouth. Upbound traffic uses the

SE channel; downbound vessels use the NW channel. The

bridge opens on demand from 09:00 to 18:00, Sunday to

Thursday, and 09:00 to 21:00, Friday, Saturday, statutory

holidays and Sundays of statutory holidays. The bridge

has a clearance of 20 ft (6.1 m) when closed.

Chatham

68 The city of Chatham, with a population of

43 550 (2016), is on Thames River 16.7 miles (30.9 km)

from the entrance. Chatham is a thriving manufacturing city

and the centre of a rich farming district.

69 The river is 200 ft (61 m) wide through Chatham.

The river front is accessible by boat; depths along the Public

wharves are 1 to 6 ft (0.3 to 1.8 m).

70 A municipal marina at Chatham oers

overnight dockage.

NE coast of Lake St. Clair

Mitchell’s Bay

71 The Canadian north and east shores of Lake

St. Clair are flat and marshy. Mitchell’s Bay

(42°28'N, 82°26'W) is in the NE corner of the lake

between Mitchell’s Point and St. Anne Island. The buoys

in the approaches to Mitchell’s Bay are reported to

be moved to mark the best channel. The settlement of

Mitchell’s Bay, population 211 (2011), is on the east side

of the bay.

72 Mitchell Bay Direction light (717) is

shown at an elevation of 31.5 ft (9.6 m) from a

white square skeleton tower, 22 ft (6.7 m) high, with a

starboard hand daymark.

73 A water tower 0.3 mile (556 m) NE of Mitchell Bay

Direction light is white in colour and marked Mitchell’s

Bay. It is visible from 10 miles (18 km) on all approaches. A

radio tower 3.5 miles (6.3 km) SSE of Mitchell’s Point

is a red and white skeleton tower, 226 ft (68.9 m) high,

with air obstruction lights.

74 The Public wharf at Mitchell’s Bay has

depths of less than 1 foot (0.3 m). Most of the wharf

is intended as a lookout for pedestrian trac; an iron

railing prevents access to the water. The inner end of

the SE side of the wharf allows boaters to embark and

disembark. There is no dredged channel to the Public wharf.

There are ve ag poles on the wharf, and a small

convenience store with a pay phone is nearby.

75 Caution. — There are 16 piles, with

elevations of 11 ft (3.4 m), along the south side

of the wharf, 1 ft (0.3 m) o the wharf face. There are also

2 piles with elevations of l ft (0.3 m), one at the SW corner

and one along the west face of the wharf; these latter piles

may be submerged at high water levels.

76 The municipal park, just north of the Public wharf,

has three small launching ramps for rowboats or canoes.

77 Mitchell’s Bay Marine Park

Limited’smarina, has depths of 2 to 3 ft (0.6 to

0.9 m) and oers dockage with power and water, pump

out, ramp, some boat hardware, shing boat rentals,

camping, picnic area, showers, laundromat, snack bar,

restaurant and licensed dining room, bait, tackle, ice and

gasoline, and monitors VHF Channels 16 and 68. Several

small spar buoys mark the channel to the marina.

78 There is a crib, awash, on the SE side of the

channel to the marina. This crib is at the outer end of a water

intake pipeline.

79 Caution. — The approaches to the

following marinas often dry at chart datum.

80 Vincent’s Guide Service, on Patricks Cove

on the SE side of Mitchell’s Bay, has depths of 2 ft

(0.6 m) at the wharves (only in high water) and oers

dockage with power and water, pump out, small boat

rentals and shing charters, water taxi service, picnic area,

showers, bait, ice and winter ice shing.

81 Waterway Camp, on the east shore in a canal

o Patricks Cove, oers dockage with power and water,

ramp, small boat and motor rentals, camping, picnic area,

CHAPTER 2

Lake St. Clair

2-7

showers, snack bar, some groceries, bait, ice

and gasoline.

82 Second Channel (local name, unnamed on the

chart), 50 ft (15.2 m) wide, has been dredged into Mitchell’s

Bay from the entrance to Chenail Ecarté (The Snye) at

Martin Island (42°28'N, 82°27'W). Second Channel

is marked by buoys and has a depth of 1 ft (0.3 m).

83 Martin Island Direction light (719), on

the east end of Martin Island, is shown at an

elevation of 37 ft (11.4 m) from a white square skeleton

tower, 30.5 ft (9.3 m) high, with a starboard hand daymark.

84 Another channel, 1 mile (1.8 km) east of

Martin Island, leads from the cut outside Mitchell’s

Bay Public wharf to Chenail Ecarté. The channel has a

depth of 3 ft (0.9 m) and is buoyed up to Chenail Ecarté,

where a depth of 52 ft (15.8 m) was found. This channel

can be weedy.

85 Rankin Creek (unnamed on the chart) enters

the NE side of Mitchell’s Bay.

86 Bass Haven Marina, on Rankin Creek, has

depths of 1 ft (0.3 m) and oers dockage, ramp,

shing boat rentals, camping, showers, snack bar, bait,

tackle, propane, drinking water, ice and gasoline, and

monitors VHF Channels 16, 68 and 71.

87 Caution. — The dredged channels in

Mitchell’s Bay are subject to silting. Dredging is

done by priority and may be infrequent.

88 There is a row of 21 piles with elevations of 8 to

10 ft (2.4 to 3 m) covering a distance of 3 miles (5.6 km) in

a NW–SE direction off the mouth of Bassett Channel.

These piles have signs warning of the shing and hunting

grounds of Walpole Island First Nation. There is a row

of 5 similar piles in the NW part of Mitchell’s Bay.

U.S. shores of Lake St. Clair

ENCs US4MI31M, US5MI30M, US5MI28M, US5MI29M, Charts

14853, 14850

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 8, partial]

89 The west, or Michigan shore of Lake St. Clair, has

been extensively developed with homes, yacht clubs, and

marinas. The communities of Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse

Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Shores, and

St. Clair Shores, suburban to Detroit, are on the west

lakeshore extending from Windmill Point at the head of

Detroit River north for about 10 [8.7] miles. Several

piers, some marked by private lights, extend as much as

0.5 [0.4] mile into the lake with depths of 6 to 10 feet

[1.8 to 3 m] alongside.

90 Milk River is a small river owing into

Lake St. Clair on the northwest side of Gaukler Point,

7.5 [6.5] miles N of Windmill Point. A xed highway bridge

with a clearance of 8 feet [2.4 m] crosses the river just

above the mouth. About 0.2 [0.17] mile above the bridge,

just below another bridge, is a series of taintor gates that

control the water level upstream. The river below the gates

has been developed for small-craft berthing.

91 A boulder ledge with depths of 2 feet [0.6 m] extends

1.5 [1.3] miles north-northeast from Gaukler Point. Seasonal

lighted buoys mark the east side and north end of the ledge.

92 St. Clair Shores, MI, extends along the lakeshore

from the Milk River north for 6.5 [5.6] miles. Miller

Memorial Light (42°27.8'N., 82°52.8'W.), 270 feet [82.3 m]

above the water, is a prominent private aid shown from

atop a high-rise apartment building, 0.3 [0.26] mile north

of the Milk River mouth.

93 St. Clair Shores Coast Guard Station is

0.7 [0.6] mile north of the light. A slow-no wake speed

is enforced in the canals of St. Clair Shores and the

adjacent waters of Lake St. Clair. The lakefront for about

1 [0.9] mile north of Milk River has numerous large

facilities for small-craft. All types of marine services

and supplies, including lifts to 40 tons [36.3 tonnes], are

available. The rest of the St. Clair Shores lakefront has

private facilities with a few public parks and ramps.

94 Cuto Canal empties into the lake 7.5 [6.5] miles

north of Gaukler Point. The canal extends about 2 [1.7] miles

northwest to a weir just below the junction with the Clinton

River at Mount Clemens. During ood conditions, the canal

diverts a major part of the ow of Clinton River. The canal

has depths of 9 feet [2.7 m] just inside the mouth, thence

6 feet [1.8 m] to just below the weir, thence 2 feet [0.6 m]

and 1 foot [0.3 m] below and above the weir, respectively.

95 Point Huron (42°33'51"N., 82°47'03"W.) is the

southeast point of a projection of land that extends into Lake

St. Clair northeast of Cuto Canal. Black Creek, on the

north side of Point Huron, leads to an extensive area of

privately dredged small-craft channels. The entrance to

the creek is marked by private buoys and a private 297.3°

lighted range. In 2002, the reported depth was 5 feet

[1.5 m] through the entrance. A slow-no wake speed is

enforced in the creek and connecting canals. The Metro

Beach Metropark, a marina developed by the Michigan

State Waterways Commission, has facilities along the

west side of Black Creek at Metropolitan Beach that can

provide transient berths, water, ice, electricity, launching

ramps, and sewage pump-out.

96 Anchor Bay, fed by North Channel of the St. Clair

River, is the shallow north arm of Lake St. Clair north of

Point Huron. A depth of about 8 feet [2.4 m] can be carried

across the bank that separates the south end of the bay from

CEN 304

Detroit River — Lake St. Clair — St. Clair River

2-8

the main body of the lake. The best water across the bank

is on a general north-south line just east of Point Huron

Lighted Buoy 1PH (42°33'12"N., 82°44'51"W.). The central

part of the bay has depths of about 10 feet [3 m] with

gradual shoaling toward the shores.

97 Clinton River is a narrow crooked stream

discharging into the west side of Anchor Bay about

2 [1.7] miles north of Point Huron. The city of Mount

Clemens, MI, is about 7.3 [6.3] miles above the mouth.

98 Channels.–A Federal project provides for an

8-foot [2.4-m] dredged channel which leads from Anchor

Bay between two breakwaters through the mouth of the

river and upstream to Mount Clemens; a 5-foot [1.5-m]

harbor basin is on the south side of the river mouth.

(See Notice to Mariners and the latest edition of the chart

for controlling depths.) The entrance is marked by lighted

and unlighted buoys, lights on the outer end of the

breakwaters, and a light on the north side of the

river mouth.

99 The controlling depth in the river above Mount

Clemens is 2 feet [0.6 m], and the river is navigable by

small boats for a considerable distance above

Mount Clemens.

100 Fluctuations of water level.–Winds cause day-to-

day level changes of sometimes more than 1 foot [0.3 m].

Each year, spring freshets raise the water level at Mount

Clemens from 6 to 9 feet [1.8 to 2.7 m] above normal.

101 Caution.–The entrance channel should not be

approached from the south because of an obstruction,

covered 4 feet [1.2 m], 0.4 [0.34] mile east-southeast of the

south breakwater. Small craft are cautioned not to navigate

between the dredged channel and the north breakwater,

because of very shallow water.

102 A slow-no wake speed is enforced on the

Clinton River.

103 Small-craft facilities.–Numerous marinas on the

Clinton River provide gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice,

electricity, sewage pump-out, marine supplies, and

launching ramps. Hoists to 100 tons [90.7 tonnes]

are available for hull and engine repairs.

104 Detroit Coast Guard Air Station is at Selfridge

Air National Guard Base on the west side of Anchor Bay

north of the Clinton River. Two basins for crash rescue

craft are 2.4 [2.1] and 3 [2.6] miles northwest of the

Clinton River mouth. The southeast basin is protected by

a detached breakwater marked by two lights on each end,

and the northwest basin is marked by two lights.

105 The shore, north and northeast of Selfridge Air

National Guard Base, is indented by several small creeks

and privately dredged canals developed for housing and

small-craft facilities. A slow-no wake speed is enforced on

these waterways.

106 Salt River ows into the northwest side of Anchor

Bay about 4 [3.5] miles north from the mouth of the Clinton

River. The entrance to the river is marked by a private

018° lighted range. Several submerged concrete remains

of former light structures are in the entrance channel;

caution is advised. A slow-no wake speed is enforced in the

Salt River. Marinas in the lower part of the river provide

gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, sewage pump-out, marine

supplies, hull and engine repairs, marine railways to

45 feet [13.7 m] and hoists to 25 tons [22.7 tonnes].

107 New Baltimore, MI, is on the north side of Anchor

Bay at the mouth of Frog Creek about 5.5 [4.8] miles

north-northeast of the Clinton River. A slow-no wake speed

is enforced in Frog Creek and in the small-craft channels

at New Baltimore east of the creek. Marinas at New

Baltimore provide gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice,

electricity, sewage pump-out, marine supplies, and a

launching ramp. A 15-ton (13.6-tonne] lift is available

for hull, engine, and electronic repairs.

108 Fair Haven, MI, is a village on the northeast

shore of Anchor Bay at the mouth of Swan Creek about

4 [3.5] miles east of New Baltimore. Several privately

dredged canals lead to marinas o both sides of the lower

part of the creek. The approach to the creek is marked

by buoys. In 2001, a reported depth of 4 feet [1.2 m] was

available from the entrance to about 0.6 [0.5] mile above

the mouth. A slow-no wake speed is enforced in the creek

and canals. The marinas can provide transient berths,

gasoline, diesel fuel, water, sewage pump-out, marine

supplies, hull and engine repairs, marine railways to

50 feet [15.2 m] and hoists to 50 tons [45 tonnes].

109 The east side of Anchor Bay, from Fair Haven

south, is a wide shallow area receiving the outow from

North Channel and Middle Channel of the St. Clair River.

General

ENCs US4MI31M, US5MI32M, US5MI33M, US5MI30M,

US5MI28M, US5MI29M, Charts 14850, 14852, 14853

1 St. Clair River is 35 miles (64.8 km) long; it has

a lower or delta part and a deep upper channel. Several

branches of the river reach into Lake St. Clair through

the delta section, which is known as St. Clair Flats. For

through navigation, the most important branch is South

Channel, which passes along the NW shore of Walpole

Island and through St. Clair Cuto channel to

Lake St. Clair.

2 Depths and vertical clearances under cables and

bridges on St. Clair River refer to the sloping surface of the

river corresponding to a Lake Huron elevation of 577.5 ft

(176.0 m) above IGLD 1985 and a Lake St. Clair elevation

of 572.3 ft (174.4 m) above IGLD 1985. More information

on chart datums is given in Sailing Directions booklet

CEN 300 — General Information, Great Lakes.

3 Charted depths in St. Lawrence Seaway channels

are reported to be maintained by periodic dredging. Latest

information on depths should be obtained from local

authorities. Controlling depths in the channels are

announced by United States Coast Guard Local Notice

to Mariners.

4 St. Clair River rises and falls about 1 ft (0.3 m)

each year, generally with the seasonal rise and fall of Lake

Huron. Strong winds may cause rapid uctuations of up

to 2 ft (0.6 m) above or below normal.

5 Real-time water level information for St. Clair

River at Port Lambton is available from the Canadian

Hydrographic Service Automated Water Level Gauge,

telephone number 519-677-4092. (More information on

water levels is given in Sailing Directions booklet CEN 300

— General Information, Great Lakes.)

6 Information on currents is based on

averages of water ow through the cross section of

the river during normal water ow conditions. Normal water

ow conditions exist when there is no wind and Lake Huron

is at a stage of 578.9 ft (176.5 m) and Lake St. Clair is at a

stage of 573.9 ft (174.9 m) above IGLD 1985, that is, when

they are 1.4 and 1.6 ft (0.5 m) above their respective chart

datums. The current in mid-stream is usually about 1.5 times

St. Clair River

Lake

St. Clair

Southeast Bend

CANADA

U.S.A.

Lake Huron

Sarnia

Point Edward

Chapter 3

CEN 304

Detroit River — Lake St. Clair — St. Clair River

3-2

the average rate. Stronger currents may be expected when

the dierence between the lake levels is greater, or the lake

levels are higher.

South Channel

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 9, partial]

15 St. Clair Flats Canal extends from the north

end of Lake St. Clair ship channel northeast for about

1.7 [1.5] miles along the southwest end of Seaway Island

to the junction with South Channel. The canal is marked by

lighted and unlighted buoys, a light, and a 041.1° lighted

range. South Channel extends from the north end of

St. Clair Flats Canal along the northwest side of Seaway

Island and bends east along the south shore of Harsens

Island, MI, to the junction with St. Clair Cuto Channel

at Southeast Bend. This section of South Channel is well

marked by lights.

16 St. Clair Flats Canal and South Channel below

Southeast Bend have good available depths but have not

been maintained for deep-draft navigation since completion

of St. Clair Cuto Channel. The U.S. side of South Channel

has been extensively developed with summer cottages and

small-craft landings.

17 Caution.–The earthen dike along the southeast

edge of St. Clair Flats Canal south entrance is reported

to be submerged during periodic high water conditions.

It is reported that several small boats have struck

the dike when it was submerged. A light, with a

diamond-shaped white dayboard with orange border

worded danger rocks, marks the approximate point

where the jetty submerges.

18 St.ClairCuto channel leads between Seaway

Island and Bassett Island. It was developed to by-pass the

more difficult St. Clair Flats Canal and western part of

South Channel.

19 The distance from the west end of St. Clair Cuto

channel and along South Channel to the head of Chenail

Ecarté is 11.5 miles (21.3 km). The upper part of the river,

from the head of Chenail Ecarté to Lake Huron, is 23.5 miles

(43.5 km) long. The banks of the river are clay and sand

and are mostly quite steep.

20 South Channel is marked by lights, leading

lights and buoys.

21 An area enclosed by breakwaters on the NW

side of St. Clair Cuto channel is a containment facility. The

entrance to this area is closed by a oating boom.

22 The chart shows two wrecks at Southeast Bend.

Dredging surveys have revealed no above-grade depths at

these locations.

23 Pier X32/2 light (721), 190 ft (57.9 m)

outside the channel limit at the SSW end of St. Clair

Cuto channel, is shown from a white cylindrical mast, 16 ft

(4.9 m) high, with a red upper part and marked X32/2.

7 Current rates in the accompanying table refer

to high water ow, medium water ow, and low water

ow, respectively.

8 A strong current in St. Clair River extends from

1000 ft (305 m) above to 200 or 300 ft (61 or 91.4 m) below

Blue Water Bridge at Sarnia. During sustained strong

north to NE winds on Lake Huron, the current in the

upper St. Clair River is stronger.

9 St. Clair River is a designated pilotage area;

there are pilot exchange points in Detroit River

below Ambassador Bridge and in Lake Huron o the head

of St. Clair River. For more information on pilotage,

consult Sailing Directions booklet CEN 300 —

General Information, Great Lakes, the Annual Edition

of Notices to Mariners and Radio Aids to Marine

Navigation (Atlantic, St. Lawrence, Great Lakes,

Lake Winnipeg, Arctic and Pacic).

10 There are speed limits on St. Clair River for all

vessels with an overall length of 65.6 ft (20 m) or more.

The speed limits are listed in the St. Clair and Detroit

River Navigation Safety Regulations, quoted in Sailing

Directions booklet CEN 300 — General Information,

Great Lakes.

11 There are Marine Communications and

Traffic Services calling-in points on St. Clair

River. For details consult the St. Clair and Detroit River

Navigation Safety Regulations and Radio Aids to Marine

Navigation (Atlantic, St. Lawrence, Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg,

Arctic and Pacic).

12 The harbour at Sarnia is a Public harbour

administered by Transport Canada.

13 Canadian Government regulations are available at:

http://laws.justice.gc.ca/.

14 Most of the marinas on the Canadian side of

St. Clair River are Customs telephone reporting site/marine

for pleasure craft: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/do-rb/servi-

ces/trsm-sdtm-eng.html.

Current Rates on St. Clair River

High water

ow (knots)

Medium water

ow (knots)

Low water ow

(knots)

Algonac 1.7 1.4 1.1

Port Lambton 1.8 1.5 1.1

Marine City 1.7 1.4 1.1

St. Clair 1.9 1.5 1.2

Marysville 1.7 1.4 1.1

Point Edward 3.4 2.9 2.2

CHAPTER 3

St. Clair River

3-3

24 St. Clair Cuto channel is marked by seven other

lights; three on the south side and four on the north.

The lights on the south side are shown from white square

towers with red trim on the corners. The lights on the

north side are shown from white cylindrical towers,

each with a green upper portion. These light-towers are

190 ft (57.9 m) outside the limits of the dredged channel.

25 Squirrel Island leading lights, in line bearing 064¼°,

lead through St. Clair Cuto channel. The front light (732)

is shown from a white square skeleton tower with a

uorescent-orange triangular daymark with a black vertical

stripe. The rear light (733) is shown from a white square

skeleton tower, 79.7 ft (24.3 m) high, with a uorescent-

orange inverted triangular daymark with a black vertical

stripe. The lights are visible on the line of the range.

26 The shipping route rejoins South Channel at the

NE end of St. Clair Cuto channel.

27 Bassett Channel, leaving St. Clair River at the

eastern end of Southeast Bend, ows southwards to Lake

St. Clair between Bassett Island and Squirrel Island. The

channel is not buoyed. The channel has depths of

10 to 35 ft (3 to 10.7 m).

28 There is a wreck close inshore on the east side

of the entrance to Bassett Channel at 42°33'02.6"N,

82°35'03.5"W. Part of this wreck is dry 1 ft (0.3 m).

29 A submerged cable crosses South Channel

0.1 mile (0.2 km) SW of the junction with Bassett Channel,

and crosses Bassett Channel 0.2 mile (0.4 km) south of

the junction.

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 9, partial]

30 From the junction with St. Clair Cutoff

Channel, South Channel leads north-northeast for about

6.5 [5.6] miles to the junction with North Channel. The

channel is well marked by lighted and unlighted buoys, lights,

and lighted ranges, and is maintained at the Federal

project depth of 27 feet [8.2 m].

31 Russell Island, MI is on the west side of

South

Channel just below the junction with North Channel.

A shallow bank extends about 0.5 [0.4] mile north-northeast

from the head of the island. A lighted buoy marks the

northeast side of the shoal.

32 Walpole Island lies east of Squirrel Island.

Walpole Island and other islands in the area are part of

Walpole Island First Nation.

33 South Channel light A20 (737), on the

west side of Squirrel Island, is shown from a white

cylindrical tower, 21.3 ft (6.5 m) high, with a red upper

part and marked A20.

34 Walpole Island light (741), on the east side of

South Channel opposite the south end of Russell Island,

is shown from a white cylindrical tower, 28.9 ft (8.8 m)

high, with a red upper part.

35 Walpole Island Lower light A32 (742), on the

NW corner of the wharf 0.5 mile (0.9 km) NE of Walpole

Island light, is shown from a white tower with red trim

and marked A32.

36 Chematogan Channel ows southward from

St. Clair River between Squirrel Island and Walpole Island.

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 9, partial]

37 North Channel, the northwesternmost part of

the St. Clair River delta, branches west from the river

just north of Russell Island, ows along the north side of

Harsens Island and Dickinson Island, and empties into the

east side of Anchor Bay. The outlet of the channel in the

shallow water of Anchor Bay is well marked by buoys. Two

irregularly shaped diked disposal areas front the channel

on the north side of Dickinson Island.

38 Chenal A Bout Rond branches southwest from

North Channel at the west end of Dickinson Island and

ows into Anchor Bay.

39 Middle Channel leads southwest from North

Channel between Harsens Island and Dickinson Island. The

outlet in Lake St. Clair is marked by lighted and unlighted

buoys. A 22-acre [9-ha] diked disposal area is on the

west side of Harsens Island about 1.2 [1] miles below the

junction with North Channel.

40 Algonac, MI, is a summer resort at the head of

North Channel opposite Russell Island. Marinas at Algonac

provide transient berths, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice,

sewage pump-out, marine supplies, and a launching ramp.

A 50-foot [15.2 -m] marine railway and hoists to 25 tons

[22.7 tonnes] are available for hull and engine repairs.

Ferries operate from Algonac to Harsens Island, Russell

Island, and Walpole Island, ON.

41 Quarantine, customs, immigration, and

agricultural quarantine.–(See chapter 3 [of U.S. Coast

Pilot 6], Vessel Arrival Inspections, and appendix [of

U.S. Coast Pilot 6] for addresses.)

42 Quarantine is enforced in accordance with

the regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service.

(See Public Health Service, chapter 1 [of U.S. Coast Pilot 6].)

43 A slow-no wake speed is enforced on the channels

and canals at Algonac.

44 Caution. — Mariners should favour

the east side of South Channel north of

Russell Island due to the strong current setting into

North Channel.

45 There is a car ferry slip on the

west side of Walpole Island, near its north end

(42°37'N, 82°31'W). The wharf, 105 ft (32 m) long

CEN 304

Detroit River — Lake St. Clair — St. Clair River

3-4

and 16 ft (4.9 m) wide, has an elevation of 7 ft (2.1 m); it

has a ferry slip and ramp on its south side and is also used

by pleasure craft. A detached breakwater NW of the wharf

is 200 ft (61 m) long. A rubble breakwater, 324 ft (98.8 m)

long, extends oshore south of the wharf. The ferry slip has

depths of 4 to 7 ft (1.2 to 2.1 m).

46 Walpole Island Ferry breakwater

light (743), on a rock pile o the west end of the

detached breakwater at the ferry slip, is shown from a

white block structure.

47 A ferry service crosses the St. Clair River to

Algonac, MI, from the above described slip: the City of

Algonac and the Walpole Islander. The rst ferry leaves

this wharf at 06:20; the last leaves at 21:45. The rst ferry

leaves Algonac at 06:50; the last leaves at 22:00.

48 Walpole Island is a land border Customs

reporting station for passengers, general public, and

commercial highway trac, and is a telephone reporting

site/marine for pleasure craft.

49 Walpole Island Upper light A34 (744), on

the east side of the channel 0.5 mile (0.9 km) NNE

of the Walpole Island ferry slip, is shown from a white

square tower, 17.7 ft (5.4 m) high, with red trim

and marked A34.

Chenail Ecarté and Sydenham River

ENCs USUS4MI31M, US5MI32M, US5MI33M, US5MI30M,

US5MI28M, US5MI29M, Charts 14850, 14852

50 Chenail Ecarté (Chenal Ecarté), also known

as The Snye, branches eastwards from St. Clair River

at Babys (Baby) Point (42°38'N, 82°30'W), 1.8 miles

(3.3 km) NNE of Russell Island. The main route to

Wallaceburg is via Chenail Ecarté and Sydenham River,

which ows into Chenail Ecarté 6 miles (11.1 km) SE of

Babys Point.

51 The Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations

provide a speed limit of 4.3 knots (8 km/h) on Chenail

Ecarté and Sydenham River as far as Dresden, which is

10 miles (18.5 km) east of Wallaceburg. This speed limit

reduces wake damage to dykes and low farmland.

52 The current in Chenail Ecarté sets east and

south from St. Clair River to Lake St. Clair. Rates

of up to 1.2 knots (2.3 km/h) have been reported in Chenail

Ecarté where it leaves St. Clair River.

53 Chenal Ecarté leading lights, in line

bearing 138½°, are on the south shore of Chenail

Ecarté near its junction with St. Clair River. The front

light (746) is shown from a white cylindrical tower, 15.4 ft

CHENAIL ECARTÉ (2019)

CHAPTER 3

St. Clair River

3-5

(4.7 m) high, with a uorescent-orange triangular daymark

with a black vertical stripe. The rear light (747) is shown

from a white cylindrical tower, 23 ft (7 m) high, with a

uorescent-orange triangular daymark with a black

vertical stripe. The lights are visible only on the range.

54 There are facilities for small craft on the

north side of Chenail Ecarté, 0.4 mile (0.7 km) east

of the junction with St. Clair River.

55 St. Clair Boating and Marine has depths of 6 ft

(1.8 m) and oers dockage with power and water, pump

out, ramp, boat hardware, repairs and salvage, 20-tonne

hydraulic trailer, new and used boat and motor sales

and service, water taxi service, picnic area and showers.

56 Nautical Nest Marina, next east at the mouth

of Chenail Ecarté, has depths of 6 ft (1.8 m) and oers

dockage with water and power.

57 Ecarté Marine has depths of 6 ft (1.8 m) and oers

dockage with power and water, pump out, ramp, repairs

and salvage, 20-tonne hoist, mast stepper, new and used

boat and motor sales and service, water taxi service, picnic

area, showers, laundromat, boat hardware, ice and gasoline,

and monitored VHF Channel 68.

58 The swing bridge on Chenail Ecarté at Walpole

Island village is operated by the Walpole Island First

Nation (Bkejwanong) Public Works. The bridge opens on

the hour from 07:00 to 23:00. The bridge has a vertical

clearance in a closed position of 14 ft (4.3 m); the channel

leads each side of the central pier.

59 Two submerged cables cross Chenail Ecarté

0.15 mile (0.3 km) NW of the swing bridge; there are

other submerged power cables near the bridge.

60 A water tower 0.8 mile (1.5 km) WSW of the swing

bridge is painted blue and has an elevation of 164 ft (50 m).

61 At a point 5 miles (9.3 km) from the St. Clair

River end of Chenail Ecarté, Johnston Channel ows south,

winding and narrow, for 11.5 miles (21.3 km) to the marshy

ats of Lake St. Clair.

62 The Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations

provide a speed limit of 4.3 knots (8 km/h) on Johnston

Channel from 42°34'N to its junction with Chenail Ecarté.

63 The marshy land lying east of Johnston Channel is

St. Anne Island; this is part of Walpole Island First Nation.

64 The distance from St. Clair River to Sydenham

River (42°34'N, 82°25'W) by Chenail Ecarté is 8.5 miles

(15.7 km). From this point, Chenail Ecarté winds south-

ward for 8 miles (14.8 km) to its Lake St. Clair outlet at

Martin Island in Mitchell’s Bay.

65 Caution. — Two cable ferries on Chenail

Ecarté carry farm produce and farm vehicles; one

is 1.2 miles (2.2 km) NW of the Sydenham River junction,

and the other is 1.7 miles (3.1 km) south of the junction. To

avoid striking the cables near the surface, mariners

are cautioned to keep well clear of the ferry when it is

in transit.

66 Blue Water Shiloh Park, on Chenail Ecarté

1 mile (1.8 km) NW of the junction with Sydenham

River, has depths of 2 to 7 ft (0.6 to 2.1 m) and oers

dockage, ramp, canoe rentals, tent and trailer camping,

picnic area, drinking water, showers, laundromat, ice and

snack bar.

67 An overhead power cable with a clearance of

20 ft (6.1 m) is reported to cross Chenail Ecarté 1.5 miles

(2.8 km) below the junction with Sydenham River.

68 There is a conspicuous microwave tower

0.8 mile (1.5 km) NNW of the Chenail Ecarté junction

with Sydenham River; it is a red and white skeleton tower,

262 ft (79.9 m) high and elevation 308 ft (94 m), with air

obstruction lights.

Sydenham River

69 A submerged pipeline crosses Sydenham River

0.7 mile (1.3 km) NE of the Chenail Ecarté junction.

70 A Public wharf on the NW shore of

Sydenham River, 1.2 miles (2.2 km) NE of the

Chenail Ecarté junction, is 134 ft (40.8 m) long with an

elevation of 9 ft (2.6 m). The wharf has a least depth of

10 ft (3 m) and is in a state of disrepair, with a group of

piles 3 ft dry (0.9 m dry) at the south outer corner and piles

awash at the north outer corner. There are no facilities at

the wharf, and the land adjacent to it is overgrown. There is

a turning basin close upstream of the wharf.

71 The Seys Grain Elevator berth is on the SE shore,

opposite the Public wharf. This berth is 450 ft (137.2 m)

long and consists of 6 wooden dolphins with elevations of

13 ft (4 m); there were depths of 13 to 18 ft (4 to 5.5 m),

and it was reported that no ships had used the berth in

recent years.

Wallaceburg

72 The town of Wallaceburg, with a population of

10 098 (2016), is on Sydenham River 2.3 miles (4.2 km) NE

of the Chenail Ecarté junction. The river at Wallaceburg

is 200 ft (61 m) wide.

73 An unused railway swing bridge crosses the river at

Wallaceburg; there is a width of 50 ft (15.2 m) between

the channel piers. This bridge remains open at all times.

A pedestrian lift-bridge crosses the river 0.5 mile (0.9 km)

north of the railway bridge. The Lord Selkirk highway swing

bridge lies between the railway bridge and the pedestrian

bridge. The Lord Selkirk bridge opens to river trac on

the half hour from 08:00 to 22:00, 7 days a week, but is

closed from 12:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 16:00. There

is a swing bridge for highway trac at Libby Street and

CEN 304

Detroit River — Lake St. Clair — St. Clair River

3-6

Baseline Road, 0.5 mile (0.9 km) downstream of the railway

bridge; its opening schedule is planned to coincide with

that of the Lord Selkirk bridge.

74 There is a berthing area and slip on the SE

shore upstream of the Libby Street and Baseline Road

swing bridge. It is reported to have depths of 3 to 4 ft

(0.9 to 1.2 m).

75 Wallaceburg is a Customs telephone reporting

site/marine for pleasure craft.

76 Wallaceburg Municipal Docks oers

dockage at eight locations in downtown

Wallaceburg; most of these wharves are on the NW shore

between the Lord Selkirk bridge and the pedestrian bridge,

with depths, at the James Street wharf, of 4 to 14 ft

(1.2 to 4.3 m). Power at the docks, showers, ice, and

picnic areas with barbecues were also available. All the

facilities of the town are within walking distance.

77 There is a launching ramp on the SE shore at the

foot of Wallace Street and Huron Street.

Continuation of St. Clair River

ENCs US4MI31M, US5MI33M, Charts 14852, 14853

78 Port Lambton, is a village within the municipality

of St. Clair Township. It has a population of approximately

1000, and is located on St. Clair River 1 mile (1.8 km)

above Chenail Ecarté.

79 The northern part of the Public wharf

at Port Lambton is part of the Canadian Coast

Guard base. South from the Coast Guard base is a steel and

concrete section of Public wharf, 80 ft (24.4 m) long with

a deck elevation of 4 ft (1.2 m), and a wooden finger

wharf 66 ft (20.1 m) long with depths of 4 to 10 ft

(1.2 to 3 m). There is a row of piles, 10 ft (3 m) in

elevation, along the wharf face.

80 A Canadian Coast Guard Inshore Rescue

Boat is based at Port Lambton from the end of May

to the beginning of September each year, though these

dates are subject to change (see information on Search and

Rescue in Sailing Directions booklet CEN 300 — General

Information, Great Lakes).

81 Southwestern Sales Corporation occupies

an area of the east shore 2 miles (3.7 km) north of

Port Lambton. Self-unloading ships bring gravel which is

then stored here for trans-shipment by truck.

82 Fawn Island (42°42'N, 82°30'W) lies o the

Canadian shore 2.4 miles (4.4 km) north of Port Lambton

wharf. Shoals with depths of 1 ft (0.3 m) extend 0.4 mile

(0.7 km) SSW and NNE from the island; a buoy marks

the south end of this shoal area.

83 A shoal with a least depth of 5 ft (1.5 m) lies

along the eastern edge of the dredged channel 0.3 to

1.3 miles (0.6 to 2.4 km) north of Fawn Island; a shoal

0.75 mile (1.4 km) SSW of Fawn Island has a depth

of 15 ft (4.6 m) and is marked by Fawn Island Lighted

Buoy 38 (U.S. 9780).

84 An unmarked channel with a least depth of 19 ft

(5.8 m) passes east of Fawn Island. This channel is

little used; the dredged channel west of Fawn Island is

the preferred route.

85 A private passenger ferry serves Fawn Island

and the Canadian mainland. It operates from Monday to

Thursday from 0800 to 1700, from 0800 to 2000 on Friday,

from 0800 to 1700 on Saturday and from 1000 to 2000

on Sunday.

86 A submerged power cable crosses the eastern

channel north of the Fawn Island ferry slip.

87 Sombra (42°43'N, 82°29'W), a village within the

municipality of St. Clair Township with an approximate

population of 250, is on the east shore 0.6 mile (1.1 km)

NNE of Fawn Island.

88 Sombra is a Customs land border reporting station

for passengers, general public, and commercial highway

trac, and is a telephone reporting site/marine for

pleasure craft.

89 A ferry serves Sombra and Marine City,

Michigan, year round, depending on ice conditions; it

operates approximately every 18 minutes from 06:55

to 22:30. This is the Blue Water Ferry.

90 Sombra Public wharf, at the outer end of

a causeway 230 ft (70.1 m) long and 20 ft (6.1 m)

wide, is used by the Blue Water Ferry. The south face is

250 ft (76.2 m) long and is skirted by 23 pilings; berthing

at this south wall is prohibited. The inner SE face, 82 ft

(25 m) long, has 9 pilings with elevations of 12 ft (3.7 m)

and depths of 4 ft (1.2 m). On the outer face, north of the

ferry slip, there is a 50-ft (15.2-m) section of wharf with

depths of 10 to 13 ft (3 to 4 m), and a depth of 3 ft (0.9 m)

along the north face of the wharf. There is a Canadian

Coast Guard Environmental Response building with oil

spill containment equipment on the south side of the wharf.

91 There are no facilities or shelter for small craft at

Sombra Public wharf.

92 A current of 1.8 knots (3.4 km/h) has been

reported o the end of Sombra Public wharf.

93 There is a launching ramp 1 mile (1.9 km) north

of Sombra wharf, near the entrance to Branton Cundick

Park and Campground.

CHAPTER 3

St. Clair River

3-7

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 9, partial]

94 Marine City, MI, is on the west side of the river

7 [6.1] miles above Russell Island. Belle River ows south

through the town and empties into the St. Clair River north-

west of Fawn Island.

95 Bridges.–Bridge Street bridge, about 0.5

[0.4] mile above the mouth of Belle River, has a 28-foot

[8.5-m] fixed west span with a clearance of 13 feet

[4 m]. Broadway bridge, about 1.1 [1] miles above the

river mouth, has a xed span with a clearance of 7 feet

[2.1 m]. Several overhead cables in the lower 2 [1.7] miles

of the river have a least clearance of 37 feet [11.3 m].

96 Quarantine, customs, immigration, and

agricultural quarantine.–(See chapter 3 [of U.S. Coast

Pilot 6], Vessel Arrival Inspections, and appendix [of

U.S. Coast Pilot 6] for addresses.)

97 Quarantine is enforced in accordance with the

regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public

Health Service, chapter 1 [of U.S. Coast Pilot 6].)

98 Harbor regulations.–A slow-no wake speed is

enforced on the Belle River. The Marine City Chief of Police

acts as harbormaster and enforces the regulations of St. Clair

County and the State of Michigan. Copies of the regulations

may be obtained from the chief of police.

99 Wharf.–McLouth Yards, Inc. receives crushed

limestone and coal at a wharf on the west side of the St. Clair

River just below the mouth of Belle River. There is 1,200 feet

[366 m] of berthing space along the reinforced natural

bank with a reported depth of 35 feet [10.7 m] alongside

and a deck height of 5 to 8 feet [1.5 to 2.4 m]. The facility

has 12 acres [4.9 ha] of open storage.

100 Small-craft facilities.–Marinas on the west

side of the Belle River within 0.5 [0.4] mile of the mouth

provide gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, electricity, sewage

pump-out, marine supplies, and a launching ramp. A 20-ton

[18-tonne] hoist can handle 42-foot [12.8-m] vessels for

hull, engine, and electronic repairs.

101 At Stokes Point (local name) (42°44'N,

82°29'W), 1.4 miles (2.6 km) north of Sombra, there is a

ruined wharf.

102 Kessel Point light (750), at the mouth of Clay

Creek (42°45'N, 82°28'W), is shown from a white

cylindrical mast, 34 ft (10.4 m) in elevation, with a

uorescent-orange triangular daymark.

103 Driftwood Motel and Restaurant, at the mouth

of Clay Creek, has depths of 1 ft (0.3 m) and oers

some dockage, camping, motel accommodation, snack bar,

drinking water and ice. A conservation area to the south

oers picnic areas and camping but had no

facilities for boaters.

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 9, partial]

104 Detroit Edison Co. has a powerplant with

two wharves on the west side of the St. Clair River about

2 [1.7] miles above Stokes Point. Several stacks at the plant

are prominent, and private lights mark the upper and lower

ends of the wharf area.

105 Wharf 1: 500 feet [152.4 m] below Dock

Upper Light; about 400 feet [121.9 m] of berthing space;

16 feet [4.9 m] reported alongside; deck height, about

8½ feet [2.6 m]; storage tanks for over 11 million gallons

[41.6 million litres] of #2 and #6 fuel oil; receipt of fuel oil

and bunkering vessels.

106 Wharf 2: adjacent north of Dock Lower Light;

1,069 feet [326 m] of berthing space; 29 feet [8.8 m]

reported alongside; deck height, 8½ feet [2.6 m]; open

storage for over 2½ million tons [2.3 million tonnes] of

coal; two receiving hoppers, operating rates 2,400 and

10,000 tons [2,200 and 9,000 tonnes] per hour; receipt of

coal and bunkering vessels.

107 An overhead power cable 1 mile (1.9 km) north

of Clay Creek has a clearance of 154 ft (46.9 m); overhead

power cables 1.5 miles (2.8 km) farther north have a

clearance of 163 ft (49.7 m).

108 Bowens Creek light (752), on the east shore

1.1 miles (2 km) north of Clay Creek, is shown

from a white cylindrical tower, 30 ft (9.2 m) in elevation,

with a red upper portion.

109 The now decommissioned (2017) Ontario

Power Generation Lambton Generating Station and

wharf lie 2.7 miles (5 km) north of Clay Creek.

110 The chimneys at the former generating sta-

tion, closed at the end of 2013, are floodlit. The high-

est chimney has an elevation of 560 ft (171 m).

111 The village of Courtright (42°49'N, 82°28'W), a

village within the municipality of St. Clair Township, is

on the east shore 1.2 miles (2.2 km) north of the former

Lambton Generating Station. The Public wharf, on steel

piles, is 180 ft (54.9 m) long, 10 ft (3 m) wide and 6 ft

(1.8 m) high, and has a depth of 9 ft (2.7 m); there are

reported to be two dolphins o the face of the wharf.

112 Courtright is a Customs telephone reporting site/

marine for pleasure craft.

113 Courtright light (753), on a dolphin on

the east shore south of Courtright, is shown from a

white skeleton structure, 16.7 ft (5.1 m) high.

114 An industrial wharf on the east shore,

0.4 mile (0.7 km) north of Courtright, has a sheet

piling face 250 ft (76.2 m) long. The wharf has depths of

10 to 20 ft (3 to 6.1 m) and is in disrepair.

115 The settlement of Mooretown (42°50'N,

82°28'W), a village within the municipality of St. Clair

CEN 304

Detroit River — Lake St. Clair — St. Clair River

3-8

Township, is on the east shore 1.5 miles (2.8 km) north

of Courtright. The wharf at Mooretown has a depth of

4 ft (1.2 m) but had no facilities for boaters. A pile 52 ft

(15.8 m) south of the SW corner of the wharf has an

elevation of 3 ft (0.9 m).

116 Mooretown light (756), near the NW corner

of the wharf, is shown from a white cylindrical

tower, 26.9 ft (8.2 m) high, with a red upper part.

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 9, partial]

117 St. Clair, MI, is on the west side of the river about

7.5 [6.5] miles above Marine City. Pine River is a stream

100 to 150 feet [30.5 to 45.7 m] wide, emptying into the

St. Clair River near the south limits of the city. The St. Clair

Inn and Country Club 0.5 [0.4] mile north of the mouth of

Pine River is prominent.

118 Bridges.–Riverside Avenue (State Route 29)

bascule bridge, just above the mouth of the Pine River has

a clearance of 11 feet [3.4 m]. (See 33 CFR 117.1 through

117.59 and 117.643, chapter 2 [of U.S. Coast Pilot 6], for

drawbridge regulations.) The Port Huron and Detroit

Railroad bridge about 2 [1.7] miles above the river mouth

has a swing span with a clearance of 11 feet [3.4 m].

Several overhead cables cross the river.

119 A slow-no wake speed is enforced on the Pine River.

120 Wharf.–Cargill Salt Co. receives salt and coal at a

wharf on the west side of the St. Clair River just below the

mouth of the Pine River. The wharf has 1,085 feet [331 m]

of berthing space with reported depths of 16 to 19 feet

[4.9 to 5.8 m] alongside and a deck height of 7½ feet

[2.3 m]. The wharf has 1.1 acres [0.4 ha] of open storage

for 55,000 tons [49,909 tonnes] of coal and 7,500 tons

[6,806 tonnes] of salt.

121 Small-craft facilities.–The city of St. Clair and

the Michigan State Waterways Commission have jointly

developed docking and launching facilities on the Pine

River immediately upstream of the Riverside Avenue bridge.

Transient berths, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, electricity,

sewage pump-out facilities and harbormaster services are

available. The harbormaster monitors VHF-FM channels

9 and 16. In 2001, depth of 5 feet [1.5 m] were reported

available at the facility. Another facility on the west side of

the river about 1.4 [1.2] miles above the mouth provides

gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, electricity, marine

supplies, sewage pump-out, and a launching ramp. A

30-ton [27.2-tonne] hoist is available for hull, engine,

and electronic repairs.

122 St. Clair Middle Ground, a shoal with a least

depth of 1 foot [0.3 m], is in midriver from just below the

mouth of Pine River north for about 1.5 [1.3] miles to

opposite Mooretown, ON. Lighted buoys mark the shoal at

its upper and lower ends and on the west side.

123 Downbound vessels should exercise caution when

negotiating the westerly turn at the upper end of St. Clair

Middle Ground to avoid striking these shoals.

124 The channel east of St. Clair Middle Ground,

formerly used by upbound trac, is no longer maintained.

125 Stag Island (42°53'N, 82°28'W) is in Canadian

waters 2 miles (3.7 km) north of Mooretown. Shoals extend

0.8 mile (1.5 km) south and 0.6 mile (1.1 km) north from

the island and are marked at the outer ends by light buoys.

126 The main shipping channel leads west of Stag

Island; a second channel lies east of the island. The east

channel has depths of 18 to 31 ft (5.5 to 9.4 m).

127 Stag Island Shoal light (759), at the south

end of the shoal extending south from Stag Island,

is shown from a white cylindrical tower.

128 Caution. — A submerged natural gas

pipeline crosses the river just south of the Stag

Island Shoal light.

129 The settlement of Corunna, a community within

the municipality of St. Clair Township, is east of Stag Island.

130 Corunna is a Customs telephone reporting site/

marine for pleasure craft.

131 A passenger ferry serves Corunna and Stag Island.

It operates on the hour and half-hour from 08:00 to 21:00

Monday to Thursday, and from 08:00 to 22:00 Friday

to Sunday.

132 Two submerged cables cross from Corunna to

Stag Island.

133 Talfourd (Talford) Creek is on the east shore

0.5 mile (0.9 km) NNE of Stag Island.

134 A submerged water intake extends from

the Canadian shore at the DuPont of Canada and Nova

Chemicals facilities at Corunna. The crib at the outer end of

the pipeline has a depth of 17 ft (5.2 m); the outer end of a

submerged outfall is marked by a buoy.

135 Shell Canada Ltd. operates a wharf on the

east shore north of the mouth of Taulford (Talford)

Creek. The wharf is 2064 ft (629 m) long and 9 ft (2.7 m)

high, with a depth of 23 ft (7 m). Petroleum products are

shipped and received, and bunkering is available. A tank

farm here makes a good landmark.

136 Several submerged pipelines cross the river

1.2 miles (2.2 km) north of Stag Island.

137 A shoal east of the channel 1.5 miles (2.8 km)

north of Stag Island has a depth of 16 ft (4.9 m); it is

marked by St. Clair River light buoy A60 (765).

138 An overhead power cable 1.7 miles (3.1 km)

north of Stag Island has a clearance of 177 ft (53.9 m).

The towers supporting the cable on each shore have air

obstruction lights.

ST. CLAIR RIVER, SARNIA AND STAG ISLAND FROM SOUTH (2019)

CHAPTER 3

St. Clair River

3-9

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 9, partial]

139 Detroit Edison Marysville Power Plant wharves

are on the west side of the river about 2 miles [1.7] above

Stag Island at [Marysville, MI].

140 Wharf 1: (42°55'22"N., 82°27'37"W.); 340 feet

[103.6 m] of berthing space; 18 feet [5.5 m] alongside;

deck height, 9 feet [2.7 m]; open storage for 167,000 tons

[151,543 tonnes] of coal; receipt of coal.

141 Wharf 2: 500 feet [152.4 m] above Wharf 1;

400 feet [121.9 m] of berthing space; 22 feet [6.7 m]

alongside; deck height, 9 feet [2.7 m]; open storage for

53,000 tons [48,094 tonnes] of coal; receipt of coal.

Sarnia

142 Sarnia Harbour (42°59'N, 82°24'W) is on the

east shore near the head of St. Clair River. Sarnia is a major

importing and exporting centre; petroleum products, rub-

ber, chemicals, beans, sand, tobacco, grain and fertilizer are

exported, and grain, steel, lumber, coal, crude oil, crushed

stone and cement are imported. All types of marine supplies

and facilities are available, including bunker and diesel fuel.

Major marine repairs can be carried out. The navigation

season is from mid-March to the end of December.

143 The city of Sarnia, with a population of

71 594 (2016), is a petroleum rening and chemical

producing area. Open farmland lies east and south of the

city. Sarnia Chris Hadeld Airport oers scheduled passenger

services. Sarnia is served by the Canadian National

Railway and CSX Transportation. Good highways

connect Sarnia with other major cities.

144 Sarnia is a Customs land border reporting station

for passengers, general public, and commercial highway

trac, a vessel clearing station for commercial vessels,

and a telephone reporting site/marine for pleasure craft.

145 Immigration and agricultural inspection facilities

are also available at Sarnia.

146 Sarnia Harbour is a Public harbour administered

by City of Sarnia. The harbour limits include the Canadian

waters of St. Clair River from Point Edward to below

Southeast Bend.

147 (Sarnia Harbour wharves are listed in

the table.)

148 The village of Point Edward (43°00'N, 82°25'W),

with a population of 2037 (2016), lies north of Sarnia at the

entrance to St. Clair River.

149 (The approaches to Sarnia from Lake Huron are

described in Sailing Directions booklet CEN 305 — Lake

Huron, St. Marys River, Lake Superior.)

opposite Mooretown, ON. Lighted buoys mark the shoal at

its upper and lower ends and on the west side.

123 Downbound vessels should exercise caution when

negotiating the westerly turn at the upper end of St. Clair

Middle Ground to avoid striking these shoals.

124 The channel east of St. Clair Middle Ground,

formerly used by upbound trac, is no longer maintained.

125 Stag Island (42°53'N, 82°28'W) is in Canadian

waters 2 miles (3.7 km) north of Mooretown. Shoals extend

0.8 mile (1.5 km) south and 0.6 mile (1.1 km) north from

the island and are marked at the outer ends by light buoys.

126 The main shipping channel leads west of Stag

Island; a second channel lies east of the island. The east

channel has depths of 18 to 31 ft (5.5 to 9.4 m).

127 Stag Island Shoal light (759), at the south

end of the shoal extending south from Stag Island,

is shown from a white cylindrical tower.

128 Caution. — A submerged natural gas

pipeline crosses the river just south of the Stag

Island Shoal light.

129 The settlement of Corunna, a community within

the municipality of St. Clair Township, is east of Stag Island.

130 Corunna is a Customs telephone reporting site/

marine for pleasure craft.

131 A passenger ferry serves Corunna and Stag Island.

It operates on the hour and half-hour from 08:00 to 21:00

Monday to Thursday, and from 08:00 to 22:00 Friday

to Sunday.

132 Two submerged cables cross from Corunna to

Stag Island.

133 Talfourd (Talford) Creek is on the east shore

0.5 mile (0.9 km) NNE of Stag Island.

134 A submerged water intake extends from

the Canadian shore at the DuPont of Canada and Nova

Chemicals facilities at Corunna. The crib at the outer end of

the pipeline has a depth of 17 ft (5.2 m); the outer end of a

submerged outfall is marked by a buoy.

135 Shell Canada Ltd. operates a wharf on the

east shore north of the mouth of Taulford (Talford)

Creek. The wharf is 2064 ft (629 m) long and 9 ft (2.7 m)

high, with a depth of 23 ft (7 m). Petroleum products are

shipped and received, and bunkering is available. A tank

farm here makes a good landmark.

136 Several submerged pipelines cross the river

1.2 miles (2.2 km) north of Stag Island.

137 A shoal east of the channel 1.5 miles (2.8 km)

north of Stag Island has a depth of 16 ft (4.9 m); it is

marked by St. Clair River light buoy A60 (765).

138 An overhead power cable 1.7 miles (3.1 km)

north of Stag Island has a clearance of 177 ft (53.9 m).

The towers supporting the cable on each shore have air

obstruction lights.

ST. CLAIR RIVER, SARNIA AND STAG ISLAND FROM SOUTH (2019)

CEN 304

Detroit River — Lake St. Clair — St. Clair River

3-10

150 Blue Water Bridge, a twin high-level highway

bridge, connects Point Edward and Port Huron, Michigan.

The bridge has a cantilever span across the river, with a

vertical clearance of 155 ft (47.2 m) for a width of 871 ft

(265 m) and a clearance of 152 ft (47 m) for a width of

922 ft (281 m). Four red lights mark the channel limits; the

centre of the span has two green lights, suspended from

the lower parts of the bridge, on the axis of the Fort Gratiot

range lights (described in United States Coast Guard Light

List, Volume VII, Great Lakes, 9990 and 10000).

151 Caution. — The current is reported

to ow past Point Edward at over 4 knots

(7.4 km/h), and can reach 4.5 knots (8.3 km/h) or more

north of Blue Water Bridge, and 3.6 knots (6.7 km/h) or

more for 1 mile (1.9 km) south of the bridge. Upbound

vessels will experience a westerly set between Blue Water

Bridge and Lighted Buoy 1 (US 10035) and Lake Huron

Cut light buoy 2 (770).

152 There are no buoyed or designated

anchorage areas, but parts of the river may be

used with the permission of the harbour-master. There is

good holding ground of clay and gravel on the Canadian

side south of the mouth of Black River (42°58'N, 82°25'W)

and abreast of Sarnia. Vessels should anchor as close to the

shore as safety will permit, to leave the mid-channel area

clear for passing vessels.

153 Three submerged water intakes on the east side

of St. Clair River, 0.2 mile (370 m) north of Blue Water

Bridge, extend 250 ft (76.2 m) oshore. The cribs at the

outer ends of the pipelines have depths of 24 ft (7.3 m).

154 A railway tunnel, 0.8 mile (1.5 km) south of the

entrance to Black River, connects Sarnia with Port Huron, MI.

There is a second railway tunnel in the same area.

155 Bay Point (42°59'N, 82°25'W), on the

east shore 1 mile (1.9 km) north of the Black River

entrance, is the west entrance point of a slip used for ships

waiting for the grain terminal or for berthing during the

winter months. Sarnia Bay lies 0.5 mile (0.9 km) SE of

Bay Point.

156 The Cargill Sarnia Elevator, 0.3 mile (0.6 km)

ESE of Bay Point, has a capacity of 76 000 tonnes; an

elevator annex has a capacity of 75 000 tonnes. Many

grains, seeds and legumes are handled.

157 Sarnia Bay Marina, located on the

north shore of Sarnia Bay, has depths of 4 to 6 ft

(1.2 to 1.8 m) and oers dockage with power and water,

pump out, ramp, picnic area, showers, laundromat, snack

bar, restaurant and licensed dining room, ice, gasoline and

diesel fuel, and monitored VHF Channel 68.

158 Bridgeview Marine Services, entered east of Bay

Point, has depths of 4 ft (1.2 m) and oers dockage with

power and water, pump out, ramp, repairs and salvage,

25- and 75-tonne cranes, mast stepper, sales of new and

used boats and motors, picnic area, pay phones, showers,

laundromat, ice, gasoline and diesel fuel, and monitored

Major Port Facilities Sarnia Harbour

Name Wharf Length Depth † Elevation †† Remarks

ft (m) ft (m) ft (m) Note: All information in this table was provided by local authorities.

User should consult local authorities for latest conditions.

Shell Canada Ltd. 2,000 (610) 24 (7.3) 11.5 (3.5) Bulk loading and discharging of petroleum products, and bunkering.

Sun Oil Co Ltd. 1,000 (305) 22 (6.7) 8 (2.4) Bulk loading of tankers.

Dow Chemical Co. 600 (183) 25 (7.6) 18 (5.5) Loading bulk liquid products.

Polymer Corporation 600 (183) 24 (7.3) 10 (3) General plant supplies and loading of bulk liquid products.

Mueller Brass Works 218 (66) 18 (5.5) Mooring posts.

Imperial Oil Ltd. All Imperial Oil wharves are tted with manifolds for handling bulk products. The wharves have

the usual facilities: lights, steam and fresh water.

― Lower dock 720 (219) 22 (6.7) 8.5 (2.5) This dock can accommodate a ship 600 feet (183 m) long.

― Dock 283 (86) 25 (7.6) 8.5 (2.5)

― No. 1 Crude 610 (186) 25 (7.6) 8.5 (2.5)

― Cement dock 326 (99) 25 (7.6) 8.5 (2.5) Lafarge Cement.

― Upper dock 592(180) 22 (6.7) 8.5 (2.5) A concrete wharf that joins Upper dock and No.1 Crude dock can accommodate a ship 1,000 feet

(305 m) long.

Belton Lumber Co. 1,000 (305)* 18 (5.5) Mooring posts. *Berthing length.

Reid Aggregates Ltd. 440 (134) 23 (7) 6 (1.8) Bulk stone storage.

Public Wharf 1,040 (317) 24 (7.3) 6 (1.8) Electricity and fresh water available. Shed 300 x 40 feet (91 x 12 m). Shed 160 x 40 feet

(49 x 12 m). Three sheds 140 x 40 feet (43 x 12 m).

Sarnia Elevator 900 (274) 22 (6.7) 5 (1.5) Railway lines to wharf. Electrical power and fresh water available. Shed 475 x 100 ft (145 x 30 m).

Transport Canada

North Slip ― East Side

1,700 (518) 24 (7.3) Mooring dolphins.

Holmes Foundry Co. 262 (80) 20 (6.1) 7 (2.1) Grounded ship used as a wharf. Self-unloaders discharge sand.

Canadian National Railways 1,100 (335) 18 (5.5) 10 (3) Formerly Canada Steamship Lines wharf. Railway lines on wharf. Fresh water and electrical

power available. Shed 750 x 100 feet (229 x 30 m).

† Depth below chart datum. †† Elevation above chart datum.

CHAPTER 3

St. Clair River

3-11

VHF Channel 68; Bridgeview Marine Store, also here, sells

marine supplies.

159 Sarnia breakwater light (765.5), on the

outer end of the breakwater at the entrance point

to the Sarnia Bay Marina basin, is shown from a white

cylindrical tower, 11 ft (3.4 m) high, with a green upper part.

160 Sarnia Yacht Club, a private club in a protected

basin 0.25 mile (0.5 km) east of the head of St. Clair River,

had depths of 5 ft (1.5 m) in the approaches and 3 to 8 ft

(0.9 to 2.4 m) at the wharves. The entrance to the yacht

basin is marked by privately maintained leading lights,

lights and daymarks.

161 Lake Huron Yachts Ltd., east of Sarnia

Yacht Club, in the same yacht basin, has depths

of 6 ft (1.8 m) and oers dockage with power and water

(for sailboats only), pump out, 5-tonne hoist, mast stepper,

picnic area and showers.

162 Bridgeview Marine Services, 1 Marina Road,

Point Edward and Manley’s Basics Ltd., 152 Kendall Street,

Point Edward are authorized dealers for Canadian

Hydrographic Service nautical charts and publications.

[from U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 9, partial]

163 … Fort Gratiot Light (43°00'23"N., 82°25'21"W.),

82 feet [25 m] above the water, is shown from a white brick

conical tower on the west side of the river head.

164 A 207.6° lighted range on the west side of the river

0.5 [0.4] mile below the Blue Water Bridge marks the channel

through the head of the river to just below the bridge.

165 Caution.–Trac regulations are in eect at the

head of the St. Clair River. (See 33 CFR 162.134 (c)(2),

chapter 2 [of U.S. Coast Pilot 6], for regulations.)

166 Port Huron, MI, a city at the south end of Lake

Huron, fronts the west side of the upper part of the St. Clair

River. Black River ows southeast through the city and

empties into the St. Clair River 2.4 [2.1] miles below

its head.

167 Channels.–A Federal project provides for a

20-foot [6.1-m] dredged channel that leads from the mouth

of Black River to about 0.4 [0.35] mile above the Canadian

National Railroad bridge, thence an 8-foot [2.4-m] channel

to the I-94 bridge, thence a 6-foot [1.8-m] channel for about

2.1 [1.8] miles upstream to the head of the project. (See

Notice to Mariners and the latest edition of the chart for

controlling depths.) A light marks the south side of the

river mouth.

168 Fluctuations of Water Level.–Each year spring

freshets cause the level of the Black River to rise and fall

from 4 to 6 feet [1.2 to 1.8 m]. Day-to-day level changes

due to wind can amount to several inches [20 cm].

169 Port Huron is a customs port of entry.

170 Quarantine, customs, immigration, and

agricultural quarantine.–(See chapter 3 [of U.S. Coast

Pilot 6], Vessel Arrival Inspections, and appendix [of

U.S. Coast Pilot 6] for addresses.)

171 Quarantine is enforced in accordance with the

regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public

Health Service, chapter 1 [of U.S. Coast Pilot 6].)

PORT HURON, MICHIGAN, AND POINT EDWARD FROM EAST (2018)

CEN 304

Detroit River — Lake St. Clair — St. Clair River

3-12

172 Coast Guard.–Port Huron Coast Guard

Station is on the west side of the head of the St. Clair

River just south of Fort Gratiot Light. A regulated

navigation area has been established off the Coast

Guard Station. (See 33 CFR 165.1 through 165.13 and

165.920, chapter 2, [of U.S. Coast Pilot 6] for limits

and regulations.)

173 Harbor Regulations.–A slow-no wake speed is

enforced on the following sections of Black River: from the

mouth upstream to the Canadian National Railroad bridge,

from 600 feet [182.9 m] below to 800 feet [243.8 m] above

the I-94 bridge, and from 1,000 feet [305 m] below to

500 feet [152.4 m] above the intersection with the Black

River Canal.

174 Towage.–There is a tug (2,200 hp) available at

Port Huron and service can be arranged through Malcolm

Marine (810-329-9013), 24 hours a day. The tug works

on all lakes and is a very capable icebreaker. Rescue

towing is also available for any size vessel on Lake Huron

or St. Clair River. Work boats ranging from 300 to 2,200 hp

are also available. Tugs for Port Huron are also available

from Detroit. (See Towage under Detroit.)

175 Wharves.–Port Huron has one deep-draft facility.

The alongside depths given are reported depths.

176 Port Huron Terminal Co. Wharf:

(42°57'32"N., 82°25'36"W.); 950-foot [290-m] face;

25 to 29 feet [7.6 to 8.8 m] alongside; deck height, 8 feet

[2.4 m]; 50,000 square feet [4645 m

] covered storage;

100,000 square feet [9290 m

] open storage; two 18-ton

[16.3-tonne] cranes; rail and water connections; receipt of

general cargo, wood pulp, and beans; owned by city of Port

Huron and operated by Port Huron Terminal Co.

177 Small-craft facilities.–The city of Port Huron

and the Michigan State Waterways Commission have jointly

developed small-craft facilities on the east side of the Black

River just below the Military Street Bridge, on the east side

of the river below 7th Street bridge, on the east side of the

river between 7th and 10th Street bridges, and on the west

side of the river below the I-94 bridge. Gasoline, diesel fuel,

water, ice, electricity, sewage pump-out facilities, and

harbormaster services are available. The harbormaster

monitors VHF-FM channels 16 and 9. Other marinas

in Black River additionally provide launching ramps

and lifts to 60 tons [54 tonnes] for hull, engine, and

electronic repairs.

178 Supplies.–Water and some marine supplies and

provisions are available at Port Huron Terminal Co. Wharf.

Bunker C and diesel fuel are available at oil company

terminals at Sarnia.

179 Communications.–Port Huron has good

highway and rail connections. St. Clair County International

Airport is 5 [4.3] miles southwest of the city.

180 (The shores and facilities of Lake Huron are

described in Sailing Directions booklet CEN 305 —

Lake Huron, St. Marys River, Lake Superior.)

Appendices

A-1

Sail Plan

Adapted from Transport Canada Publication TP 511E.

Fill out a sail plan for every boating trip you take and le it with a responsible person. Upon

arrival at your destination, be sure to close (or deactivate) the sail plan. Forgetting to do so can

result in an unwarranted search for you.

Sail Plan

Owner Information

Name: ____________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________

Telephone Number: ___________________ Emergency Contact Number: ______________

Boat Information

Boat Name: _________________________ Licence or

Registration Number: _____________________

Sail: ____________ Power:_____________ Length: _____________ Type: ______________

Colour Hull:_______________ Deck: ______________ Cabin: _____________

Engine Type: ________________________ Distinguishing Features: __________________

Communications

Radio Channels Monitored: HF: VHF: MF:

MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) Number: __________________________________

Satellite or Cellular Telephone Number: __________________________________________

Safety Equipment on Board

Lifejackets and PFD’s (include number): _________________________________________

Liferafts (include type and colour): _______ Dinghy or Small Boat

(include colour): _________________________

Flares (include number and type): ______________________________________________

Other Safety Equipment: ______________________________________________________

Trip Details — Update These Details Every Trip

Date of Departure: ___________________ Time of Departure: _______________________

Leaving From: _______________________ Heading To: ____________________________

Proposed Route: _____________________ Estimated Date and

Stopover Points (include date and time):___ Time of Arrival: __________________________

___________________________________ Number of People on Board: _______________

Search and Rescue Telephone Number: ___________________________

Appendices

A-2

The responsible person should contact the nearest Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC)

or Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) if the vessel becomes overdue.

Act smart and call early in case of emergency. The sooner you call, the sooner help will arrive.

JRCC Victoria (British Columbia and Yukon) 1-800-567-5111

+1-250-413-8933 (Satellite, Local or out of area)

# 727 (Cellular)

+1-250-413-8932 (fax)

[email protected] (Email)

JRCC Trenton (Great Lakes and Arctic) 1-800-267-7270

+1-613-965-3870 (Satellite, Local or Out of Area)

+1-613-965-7279 (fax)

[email protected] (Email)

MRSC Québec (Quebec Region) 1-800-463-4393

+1-418-648-3599 (Satellite, Local or out of area)

+1-418-648-3614 (fax)

[email protected] (Email)

JRCC Halifax (Maritimes Region) 1-800-565-1582

+1-902-427-8200 (Satellite, Local or out of area)

+1-902-427-2114 (fax)

[email protected] (Email)

MRSC St. John’s (Newfoundland and Labrador Region) 1-800-563-2444

+1-709-772-5151 (Satellite, Local or out of area)

+1-709-772-2224 (fax)

[email protected] (Email)

MCTS Sail Plan Service

Marine Communications and Trac Services Centres provide a sail plan processing and

alerting service. Mariners are encouraged to le Sail Plans with a responsible person. In

circumstances where this is not possible, Sail Plans may be led with any MCTS Centre by

telephone or marine radio only. Should a vessel on a Sail Plan fail to arrive at its destination

as expected, procedures will be initiated which may escalate to a full search and rescue eort.

Participation in this program is voluntary. See Canadian Radio Aids to Marine Navigation.

Appendices

A-3

Distances in nautical miles —

Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, and St. Clair River

Detroit River light

Amherstburg 6 Amherstburg

Trenton, MI 9 11 Trento, MI

Wyandotte, MI 13 7 4 Wyandotte, MI

Detroit, MI 22 16 13 10 Detroit, MI

Thames River 49 43 40 36 27 Thames River

Chatham 63 57 55 51 42 16 Chatham

Mt. Clemens, MI 51 46 43 39 30 29 43 Mt. Clemens, MI

St. Clair Flats, MI 42 36 34 30 20 16 30 13 St. Clair Flats, MI

Port Lambton 55 48 46 43 33 28 45 22 13 Port Lambton

Marine City, MI 59 52 50 47 37 32 49 26 17 3.5 Marine City, MI

St. Clair, MI 65 58 56 53 43 48 55 32 23 10 6 St. Clair , MI

Sarnia/Port Huron, MI 76 69 67 63 54 51 65 43 34 20 17 10 Sarnia / Port Huron, MI

Index

C = Chapter/P = Paragraph

I-1

Algonac, MI, C3/P40

Ambassador Bridge, C1/P138

Amherstburg, C1/P48

Amherstburg Channel, C1/P29

Amherstburg Harbour, C1/P46

Amherstburg Reach, C1/P29

Anchor Bay, C2/P96

Askins Point, C2/P17

Babys (Baby) Point, C3/P50

Ballards Reef Channel, C1/P61

Baptiste Creek, C2/P62

Bassett Channel, C3/P27

Bassett Island, C3/P18

Bay Point, C3/P155

Belle Isle, MI, C1/P155

Belle River, C2/P31

Belle River (community), C2/P31

Belle River, MI, C3/P94

Black Creek, C2/P95

Black River, C3/P166

Bob-Lo Island, C1/P2

Bois Blanc Island, C1/P28

Bowens Creek, C3/P108

Canard River, C1/P68

Celeron Island, C1/P23

Chatham, C2/P68

Chematogan Channel, C3/P36

Chenail Ecarté, C3/P50

Chenal A Bout Rond, C3/P38

Chenal Ecarté, C3/P50

Clay Creek, C3/P102

Clinton River, C2/97

Corunna, C3/P129

Courtright, C3/P111

Cuto Canal, C2/P94

Detroit, MI, C1/P163

Detroit River, C1/P1

Dickinson Island, C3/P37

East Outer Channel, MI, C1/P17

Ecorse Channel, MI, C1/P91

Ecorse, MI, C1/P91

Ecorse River, C1/P91

Fair Haven, MI, C2/P108

Fawn Island, C3/P82

Fighting Island, C1/P70

Fighting Island Channel, MI, C1/P86

Fleming Channel, C1/P154

Frog Creek, C2/P107

Gaukler Point, C2/P90

Gibraltar, MI, C1/P108

Grassy Island, C1/P70

Grosse Ile, MI, C1/P58

Grosse Pointe, C2/P89

Grosse Pointe Farms, C2/P89

Grosse Pointe Park, C2/P89

Grosse Pointe Shores, C2/P89

Hackett Reach, C1/P29

Harsens Island, MI, C3/P15

Hennepin, Point, MI, C1/P58

Hole-in-the-Wall, C1/P42

Huron, Point, C2/P95

Jeannettes Creek, C2/P62

Johnston Channel, C3/P61

Lakeshore, C2/P31

Lake St. Clair, C2/P1

La Salle, C1/P71

Limekiln Crossing Reach, C1/P29

Livingstone Channel, C1/P41

Lower Livingstone Channel, C1/P25

Mamajuda Island Shoal, MI, C1/P88

Marine City, MI, C3/P94

Martin Island, C2/P82

Marysville, MI C3/P139

Meso Island, MI, C1/P22

Metropolitan Beach, C2/P95

Middle Channel, C3/P39

Milk River, C2/P90

Mitchell’s Bay, C2/P71

Mitchell's Bay (settlement), C2/P71

Mitchell’s Point, C2/P71

Mooretown, C3/P115

Mount Clemens, MI, C2/P97

Mud Island, MI, C1/P91

New Baltimore, MI, C2/P107

North Channel, C3/P37

Old Channel, C1/P114

Patricks Cove, C2/P80

Peche Island, C1/P147

Pike Creek, C2/P18

Pine River, C3/P117

Point Edward (village), C3/P148

Point Hennepin, MI, C1/P58

Point Huron, C2/P95

Port Huron, MI, C3/P166

Port Lambton, C3/P78

Port of Windsor, C1/P125

Prairie Siding, C2/P66

Puce River, C2/P26

Rankin Creek, C2/P85

River Rouge, MI, C1/P113

Rouge, River C1/P113

Ruscom River, C2/P39

Russell Island, MI, C3/P31

Salt River, C2/P106

Sarnia Bay, C3/P155

Sarnia, C3/P143

Sarnia Harbour, C3/P142

Scott Middle Ground, MI, C1/P159

Seaway Island, C3/P18

Second Channel, C2/P82

Short Cut Canal 21, C1/P114

Snye, The, C3/P50

Sombra, C3/P87

South Channel, C3/P15

Southeast Bend, C3/P15

Squirrel Island, C3/P27

Stag Island, C3/P125

St. Anne Island, C3/P63

St. Clair Cuto, C3/P18

St. Clair Flats, C3/P1

St. Clair Flats Canal, C3/P15

St. Clair, Lake, C2/P1

St. Clair, MI, C3/P117

St. Clair Middle Ground, C3/P122

St. Clair River, C3/P1

St. Clair Shores, MI, C2/P92

Stokes Point, C3/P101

Stoney Point, C2/P45

Stoney Point/Pointe-aux-Roches (community),

C2/P45

Stony Island, MI, C1/P22

Sugar Island Cut, C1/P24

Sugar Island, MI, C1/P22

Swan Creek, C2/P108

Sydenham River, C3/P64

Talford Creek, C3/P133

Talfourd Creek, C3/P133

Tecumseh, C2/P16

Thames River, C2/P48

The Snye, C3/P50

Thorofare Canal, MI, C1/P59

Trenton Channel, C1/P93

Trenton, MI, C1/P101

Turkey Island, C1/P70

Wallaceburg, C3/P72

Walpole Island, C3/P32

Walpole Island (village), C3/P58

West Outer Channel, C1/P17

Windsor, C1/P126

Windsor, Port of, C1/P125

Wyandotte, MI, C1/P96

Zug Island, MI, C1/P114

Thunder Bay

Sault Ste. Marie

Killarney

North Bay

Port Severn

Ottawa

Gatineau

Kingston

Trenton

Tobermory

Sarnia

Toronto

Welland

Windsor

Montréal

ÉTATS-UNIS D'AMÉRIQUE

Q U É B E C

C A N A D A

O N T A R I O

New Liskeard

Mattawa

CEN 304

CEN 307

CEN 305

CEN 306

CEN 303

CEN 302

CEN 301

CEN 308

ATL 112

CEN 309

Sailing Directions Booklets

CEN 300 General Information, Great Lakes

ATL 112 St. Lawrence River, Cap-Rouge to Montréal and Rivière Richelieu

CEN 301 St. Lawrence River, Montréal to Kingston

CEN 302 Lake Ontario

CEN 303 Welland Canal and Lake Erie

CEN 304 Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River

CEN 305 Lake Huron, St. Marys River, Lake Superior

CEN 306 Georgian Bay

CEN 307 North Channel of Lake Huron

CEN 308 Rideau Canal and Ottawa River

CEN 309 Trent-Severn Waterway