Michigan Underwater Preserves or Michigan Bottomland Preserves are protected areas of the Great Lakes on Michigan's coast. The eleven designated areas, comprising a surface area of over 2,400 square miles, are considered to be "Underwater museums" and serve to protect concentrations of shipwrecks, unique geologic features and other submerged sites through awareness and public interest. The program is currently receiving no funding from the state and does not offer any extra legal protection for the sites in the preserves. However, it is a felony to remove or disturb underwater artifacts in the Great Lakes. Persons apprehended and convicted of removing or willfully damaging underwater artifacts risk confiscation of their equipment (boats, cars, dive gear, etc.), stiff fines and up to two years imprisonment. The Michigan Underwater Preserve Council oversees activities relating to all of Michigan's Underwater Preserves.

Underwater Preserves

Alger Underwater Preserve - 14 dive sites.  Large rocks and caves.  Seven shipwrecks, including schooners, barges steamers, wrecked between 1850’s and 1920’s.

Keweenaw Underwater Preserve, Michigan Underwater Preserve Council, 560 N. State St., St. Ignace, MI 49781, Phone: (800) 338-6660.  In addition to shipwrecks, the Keweenaw is a popular area for exploring underwater geologic formations. Large deposits of copper can be found in this region. Visibility throughout this preserve is generally very good and often exceeds 35 feet.

Marquette Underwater Preserve - The Marquette Underwater Preserve in Lake Superior contains eight major shipwrecks in two areas, the Huron Islands and Marquette units.

Pictured Rocks Cruises, P.O. Box 355, Munising, MI 49862, Phone: (906) 387-2379

Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve, Michigan Underwater Preserve Council, 560 N. State Street, St. Ignace, MI 4978, Phone: (800) 338-6660.  Whitefish Point reaches into Lake Superior at the Southeast end of the Lake, providing the geographic separation between the “Greatest Lake”, Whitefish Bay and the entrance to the Soo Locks. The cold clear waters in this area have left the wrecks in excellent condition. They range from an early schooner, Niagara, to wood steam barges, Vienna, John Osborne, Samuel Mather, and modern steel Lake freighters Superior City and John B. Cowle.

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