New St. Ignace Lighthouse Beam Is Now Operational

Wawatam Lighthouse at the entrance to the St. Ignace Marina now is operational and is serving as an aid to navigation to boaters. The light was turned on Sunday, August 20, and will remain lit year-around, said Eugene Elmer, St. Ignace marina director.

The beacon projects 13.2 miles over Lake Huron with a white flashing light at a 152degree arch.

The light also can be seen on land, which was not anticipated, though Mr. Elmer refers to the unexpected development as a positive effect. The land-visible light now allows residents and visitors to see that the lighthouse is operational, he said.

Though blocked with an internal baffle to prevent land projection, the surprise flashback is a rebound from the glass windows that surround the light, said Mr. Elmer. He attributes the rebounding light similar to taking a flash picture through a window.

After the light was activated and the flashback effect was noticed, Mr. Elmer contacted nearby neighbors whose houses were in the line of light. He reported that residents were not bothered by the beam, also noting the rebounding light was not that bright.

The lighthouse, which stands at the end of the old Railroad Dock, is scheduled to be included in part of the city's boardwalk system and will appear on navigational charts next year.

Later this year, the city hopes to complete the Huron Boardwalk that now runs along the north side of the city along the water's edge to just south of the marina. The 1,000 foot addition to the boardwalk will lead out to the structure and include railings and lighting on the span. A fishing pier is planned on the south side of the walkway.

The lighthouse was named earlier this month after the former 338-foot railcar ferry Chief Wawatam, which loaded railroad cars at the dock to transport them between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.