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Home , Anchor Bay (Michigan), Clinton River (Michigan), Detroit River, Lake Erie, South Channel, Thames River (Ontario)

U.S. Pilot 6, Chapter 8 19 SEP 2021 ¢ 294

82°30'W Chart Coverage in Coast Pilot 6—Chapter 8 NOAA’s Online Interactive Chart Catalog has complete chart coverage http://www.charts.noaa.gov/InteractiveCatalog/nrnc.shtml Mooretown 82°45'W St. Clair

Courtright

MICHIGAN

42°45'N 14850

Marine City Sombra

14853 Fairhaven New Baltimore Port Lambton BOUVIER

ONTARIO Algonac N O R T H C H Mount Clemens A N N E L

L N E A N H CLINTON C E C L L H D E E N D N A L I N E C M A A H L R C T E E H N

T N

U A O S H L’ANSE CREUSE C

BAY N L A E

G N

O N A T H F F A O C

T M U N C E O

R H I T

A C L S

C N . T H S O 42°30'N J

14852

T

I O

R

T

E

S D E AT L AKE ST.CLAIR

CANADA UNITED ST

THAMES RIVER

Belle River SEP 2021 U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 8 ¢ 295 19 St. Clair

(1) greater volume of surface water than can be carried off by Chart Datum, Lake St. Clair the lower return currents, thus raising the water level on the lee shore and lowering it on the windward shore. This

(2) Depths and vertical clearances under overhead cables effect is more pronounced in bays, where the impelled and bridges given in this chapter are referred to Low water is concentrated in a small space by converging Water Datum, which for Lake St. Clair is an elevation shores, especially if coupled with a gradually sloping of 572.3 feet (174.4 meters) above mean water level at inshore bottom, which even further reduces the flow of Rimouski, QC, on International Great Datum 1985 the lower return currents. This effect is very pronounced (IGLD 1985). (See Chart Datum, System, in Anchor Bay. indexed as such, chapter 3.) (9) (3) Weather, Lake St. Clair and vicinity Lake St. Clair Dimensions (10) Strong winds associated with squall lines or winter Description Length/Area storms occasionally whip across Lake St. Clair causing a danger to shipping. One July, a line of thunderstorms Outlet of South to Windmill 18.5 Point Light (steamer track) generated a 61-knot, 1-minute windspeed recorded by Length at longitude 82°45'W 26 miles a traversing the lake. Peak gusts at Selfridge Air Breadth at latitude 42°25'W 24 miles National Guard Base have been clocked in the 60-knot range in spring and late fall and in the 40- to 50-knot Water surface (including River 198 sq mi (U.S.) and St. Clair River) 292 sq mi () range at other times during the navigation season. Winds (including Detroit 3,050 sq mi (U.S.) over the lake frequently blow out of the south through River and St. Clair River) 4,370 sq mi (Canada) west, but numerous local effects come into play on this shallow . At Selfridge, northerlies and

(4) northwesterlies are also frequent, particularly during the General description morning hours, while southeasterlies are common during (5) Lake St. Clair is an expansive shallow basin, with spring and summer afternoons. low, marshy shores and a flatly sloping bottom. The lake (11) While haze, smoke and often drop has a greatest natural depth of 19 feet. St. Clair River visibilities below 7 statute miles (6.1 nm), on 9 to 13 days flows from north and enters the north part of the lake per month, they seldom fall to less than 0.5 statute through several channels of a wide delta area. The outflow (0.4 nm). Fog, the principal cause of very poor visibilities, of the lake is at the southwest end through the Detroit is most likely in autumn and early spring. Visibilities of River. The chief importance of the lake is the dredged less than 0.5 statute mile (0.4 nm) occur on about 2 to 3 deep-draft channel that leads across it to connect Detroit days per month during these periods. River and St. Clair River. No large commercial facilities (12) or harbors are on the lake. Ice

(6) (13) Ice forms early on this body of water, usually starting Fluctuations of water level in the shallows of Anchor Bay and in the east at Mitchells (7) The normal elevation of the lake surface varies Bay. Because of prevailing winds and currents, the west irregularly from year to year. During the course of each side of the lake is the last to become covered and the year, the surface is subject to a consistent seasonal rise first to clear. Navigation is usually extremely limited by and fall, the lowest stages prevailing during the winter early December. The broken track through the lake closes and the highest during the summer. quickly, but little rafting or ridging occurs. The head (8) In addition to the normal seasonal fluctuations, of the is relatively ice-free for the entire oscillations of irregular amount and duration are winter, except for minor ice jams. Heaviest ice cover also produced by storms. Sudden changes in wind or usually occurs in late February or early March. Thawing barometric pressure can cause fluctuations of 1 foot or is rapid and is aided by the winds and currents, which more that may last several hours. At other times, strong move drifting floes to the head of the Detroit River, where winds of sustained speed and direction drive forward a strong river currents move them downstream. The lake is usually open by early April. U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 8 19 SEP 2021 ¢ 296

(14) Office of the District Engineer, Corps of Engineers, Navigation regulations Detroit, , and the . (15) A vessel traffic reporting system and related (See Appendix A for contact information.) The dredged navigation regulations have been established for the channel through Lake St. Clair has a federal project depth connecting waters from to . of 27.5 feet. (See 33 CFR 162.130 through 162.140, chapter 2, for (23) A discontinued dumping ground is on the southeast regulations.) side of the dredged channel near its lower end. There are considerably above the charted depths in the (16) Vessel Traffic Service discontinued dumping ground and it is considered unsafe for navigation. (17) The Canadian Coast Guard operates a Vessel Traffic Service in Canadian waters from Long Point in Lake Erie (24) The west, or Michigan shore of Lake St. Clair, through the Detroit and St. Clair to De Tour Reef has been extensively developed with homes, yacht Light in Lake Huron. (See chapter 3 and the Annual clubs and marinas. The communities of Grosse Pointe Edition of Canadian Notices to Mariners for complete Park,Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse information.) Point Shores and St. Clair Shores, suburban to Detroit, are on the west lakeshore extending from Windmill Point (18) at the head of Detroit River north for about 10 miles. Pilotage Several piers, some marked by private lights, extend as (19) The waters of Lake St. Clair are Great Lakes much as 0.5 mile into the lake with depths of 6 to 10 feet designated waters; registered vessels of the United alongside. States and foreign vessels are required to have in their (25) Milk River is a small river flowing into Lake service a or Canadian registered pilot. St. Clair on the northwest side of Gaukler Point, 7.5 Registered pilots for Lake St. Clair are supplied by Lakes miles north of Windmill Point. A fixed highway bridge Pilots Association. (See Appendix A for address.) Pilot with a clearance of 8 feet crosses the river just above exchange points are just below the in the mouth. About 0.2 mile above the bridge, just below Detroit River and off Port Huron at the head of St. Clair another bridge, is a series of taintor gates that control the River in about 43°05'30"N., 82°24'42"W. The pilot boat water level upstream. The river below the gates has been in the Detroit River, J.W. WESTCOTT II, has a black developed for small-craft berthing. hull encircled by an orange band and a white cabin with (26) A boulder ledge with depths of 2 feet extends 1.5 the words “U.S. Mail” in black letters. Three pilot boats miles north-northeast from Gaukler Point. Seasonal are at Port Huron; HURON BELLE has an international lighted buoys mark the east side and north end of the orange hull with an aluminum cabin, and HURON MAID ledge. and HURON LADY each have an international orange (27) St. Clair Shores, MI, extends along the lakeshore hull with a white cabin. (See Pilotage, chapter 3, and 46 from the Milk River north for 6.5 miles. Miller Memorial CFR 401, chapter 2.) Light (42°27'50"N., 82°52'45"W.), 270 feet above the (20) water, is a prominent seasonal private aid shown from ENCs - US4MI31M, US5MI29M, US5MI30M, US- atop a high-rise apartment building, 0.3 mile north of the 5MI28M Milk River mouth. Charts - 14850, 14853 (28) St. Clair Shores Coast Guard Station is 0.7 mile north of the light. A slow-no wake speed is enforced in (21) The main vessel route across Lake St. Clair is the of St. Clair Shores and the adjacent waters of through the dredged channel that leads from the head of Lake St. Clair. The lakefront for about 1 mile north of the Detroit River northeast for about 16 miles to St. Clair Milk River has numerous large facilities for small craft. Cutoff Channel at the mouth of the St. Clair River. The All types of marine services and supplies, including lifts channel is well marked throughout its length by lights to 40 tons, are available. The rest of the St. Clair Shores and lighted and unlighted buoys, and its lower end by a lakefront has private facilities with a few public parks and 227.7° lighted range northeast of . A racon is ramps. at the front range light. The front range light is protected (29) Cutoff empties into the lake 7.5 miles north of by riprap and should not be passed close aboard, even Gaukler Point. The canal extends about 2 miles northwest by vessels of shallow draft. Lake St. Clair Light to a weir just below the junction with the (42°27'55"N., 82°45'15"W.), 52 feet above the water, is at Mount Clemens. During flood conditions, the canal shown from a white square tower on a cylindrical base on diverts a major part of the flow of Clinton River. The the northwest side of the channel at the slight turn near canal has depths of 9 feet just inside the mouth, thence 6 its midpoint. A radar beacon (Racon) is at the light. feet to just below the weir, thence 2 feet and 1 foot below (22) It should be noted that the charted channel legends and above the weir, respectively. for Lake St. Clair reflect the Corps of Engineers project (30) Point Huron (42°33'51"N., 82°47'03"W.) is the depth. For further information on the most recent southeast point of a projection of land that extends into channel depths, direct inquiries may be made to the Lake St. Clair northeast of Cutoff Canal. Black Creek, on SEP 2021 U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 8 ¢ 297 19

(36)

Structures across Clinton River to Mount Clemens

Clear Width of Clear Height above Draw or Span Low Water Datum Name•Description•Type Location Miles* Opening (feet) (feet) Information

Overhead telephone cables 42°35'46"N., 82°49'32"W. 3.48 25

Bridgeview Avenue Bridge (fixed) 42°35'47"N., 82°49'34"W. 3.50 50 21

Overhead power cables 42°35'47"N., 82°49'35"W. 3.52 30

Overhead power & telephone cables 42°35'27"N., 82°51'19"W. 5.85 40

Overhead power cable 42°35'25"N., 82°51'23"W. 5.94 40

Edsel Ford Freeway I-94 Bridges (fixed) 42°35'25"N., 82°51'26"W. 5.95 55 28

Overhead power cable 42°35'49"N., 82°51'46"W. 6.58 46

Market Street Bridge (fixed) 42°35'52"N., 82°52'29"W. 7.20 78 14

Cass Avenue Bridge (fixed) 42°35'47"N., 82°52'37"W. 7.32 64 20

Overhead power cable 42°35'42"N., 82°52'38"W. 7.45 58

South Broadway Bridge (fixed) 42°35'03"N., 82°52'57"W. 9.00 74 15

Overhead cable 42°35'06"N., 82°53'01"W. 9.37 N/A N/A

Gratiot Avenue Bridge (fixed) 42°35'06"N., 82°53'01"W. 9.38 14 Head of Navigation

* Miles above Clinton River Inner Light

the north side of Point Huron, leads to an extensive area (35) The controlling depth in the river above Mount of privately dredged small-craft channels. The entrance Clemens is 2 feet, and the river is navigable by small to the creek is marked by private buoys and a private boats for a considerable distance above Mount Clemens. 297.3° lighted range. In 2002, the reported depth was (37) Fluctuations of water level—Winds cause day- 5 feet through the entrance. A slow-no wake speed is to-day level changes of sometimes more than 1 foot. enforced in the creek and connecting canals. The Metro Each year, spring freshets raise the water level at Mount Beach Metropark, a marina developed by the Michigan Clemens from 6 to 9 feet above normal. State Waterways Commission, has facilities along the (38) Caution.—The entrance channel should not be west side of Black Creek at Metropolitan Beach that can approached from the south because of an obstruction, provide transient berths, water, ice, electricity, launching covered 4 feet, 0.4 mile east-southeast of the south ramps and sewage pump-out. breakwater. Small craft are cautioned not to navigate (31) Anchor Bay, fed by of the St. Clair between the dredged channel and the north breakwater, River, is the shallow north arm of Lake St. Clair north because of very shallow water.

of Point Huron. A depth of about 8 feet can be carried (39) across the bank that separates the south end of the bay Weather, Mount Clemens and vicinity from the main body of the lake. The best water across the (40) Mount Clemens, MI, is located on the northwest bank is on a general north-south line just east of Point shore of Lake St. Clair and in the southwestern part of Huron Lighted Buoy 1PH (42°33'12"N., 82°44'52"W.). the state on a rather large isthmus of land that separates The central part of the bay has depths of about 10 feet Lake Erie from Lake Huron. Within this isthmus lies with gradual shoaling toward the shores. the Detroit river which not only acts as a natural border (32) Clinton River is a narrow crooked stream between and Michigan, but also serves to connect discharging into the west side of Anchor Bay about 2 Lake Erie, to the south, with Lake St. Clair to the north. On miles north of Point Huron. The city of Mount Clemens, average, nine days each year have maximum temperatures MI, is about 7.3 miles above the mouth. in excess of 90°F (32.2°C) at Mount Clemens. July is the (33) warmest month with an average high of 82°F (27.8°C) Channels and an average minimum of 62°F (16.7°C). January is (34) A Federal project provides for an 8-foot dredged the coolest month with an average high of 31°F (-0.6°C) channel that leads from Anchor Bay between two and an average minimum of 18°F (-7.8°C). The highest breakwaters through the mouth of the river and upstream temperature on record for Mount Clemens is 100°F to Mount Clemens; a 5-foot harbor basin is on the south (37.8°C), recorded in September 1953, and the lowest side of the river mouth. The entrance is marked by temperature on record is -13°F (-25°C), recorded in lighted and unlighted buoys, lights on the outer end of January 1963. Every month has seen temperatures at or the breakwaters, and a light on the north side of the river below 40°F (4.4°C), and every month except June, July mouth. and August has recorded temperatures below freezing (0°C). U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 8 19 SEP 2021 ¢ 298

(43) CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA – MOUNT CLEMENS, MICHIGAN (42°36'N, 82°50'W) 604 feet (184 m)

WEATHER ELEMENTS JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC YEAR RECORD SEA LEVEL PRESSURE (station pressure reduced to sea level) YEARS OF Mean (millibars) 1018.9 1017.8 1016.2 1016.1 1015.2 1014.5 1015.9 1016.6 1018.0 1018.6 1017.1 1017.8 1016.9 23 TEMPERATURE (°F) Mean 24.5 26.0 33.6 46.5 57.0 67.6 72.1 70.3 63.0 53.0 39.8 28.8 48.6 22 Mean daily maximum 30.8 32.9 40.8 55.5 67.0 77.6 81.8 79.8 72.3 62.0 46.5 34.6 56.9 22 Mean daily minimum 17.6 18.5 25.8 37.0 46.5 57.1 62.0 60.3 53.1 43.5 32.6 22.6 39.8 22 Extreme (highest) 63 64 73 87 92 98 98 99 100 89 80 64 100 22 Extreme (lowest) -13 -8 0 14 24 35 40 40 29 17 4 -4 -13 22 RELATIVE HUMIDITY Average percentage 64.1 53.3 37.4 36.2 27.5 20.5 34.5 41.1 54.7 60.7 46.2 53.4 44.0 32 CLOUD COVER Percent of time clear 13.2 16.4 17.1 18.3 16.9 17.7 21.8 24.9 26.0 28.0 13.2 12.3 18.8 25 Percent of time scattered 14.4 16.4 15.8 17.1 23.0 25.6 29.9 29.1 24.7 21.2 15.2 14.3 20.6 25 Percent of time broken 15.7 16.8 17.9 19.6 23.3 26.5 25.5 23.9 22.2 19.7 18.9 15.2 20.5 25 Percent of time overcast 56.7 50.5 49.1 44.9 36.8 30.2 22.7 22.1 27.1 31.1 52.7 58.3 40.1 25 PRECIPITATION (inches) Mean amount 1.7 1.6 2.1 2.8 2.3 3.0 2.2 2.5 2.1 2.1 2.0 2.2 27.1 22 Greatest amount 3.1 3.7 4.4 4.7 4.8 7.5 4.3 4.6 5.0 4.4 3.9 5.3 35.8 22 Least amount 0.4 0.0 0.5 1.1 0.9 0.2 0.9 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.1 15.8 22 Maximum amount (24 hrs) 1.3 1.6 1.8 1.5 1.4 2.8 2.1 1.7 2.0 2.4 1.1 2.3 2.8 22 Mean number of days 22 19 20 17 16 14 13 13 13 12 18 22 199 22 SNOW Mean amount 7.7 6.6 5.3 0.8 T 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 T 3.1 6.7 30.2 22 Greatest amount 15.6 15.1 20.7 3.9 T 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 T 11.2 19.7 50.1 22 Least amount 0.8 T T 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 T 0.1 13.8 22 Maximum amount (24 hrs) 6.0 8.3 9.9 2.6 T 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 T 5.0 7.8 9.9 22 Mean number of days 19 16 13 5 Miss 0 0 0 0 1 8 17 79 22 WIND Percentage with gales 0.11 0.11 0.16 0.07 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.08 0.03 0.05 32 Mean wind speed (knots) 9.1 9.0 9.2 9.0 7.9 6.9 6.3 6.1 6.8 7.3 9.0 9.0 8.0 32 Direction (percentage of observations) North 4.4 5.3 6.6 6.1 6.9 5.4 5.0 5.8 5.7 4.6 4.2 3.8 5.3 32 North Northeast 3.9 4.8 6.2 6.7 7.5 5.3 5.5 4.6 3.8 3.9 3.0 3.0 4.8 32 Northeast 3.1 4.1 5.1 5.6 5.1 5.3 4.7 4.0 3.7 2.7 2.0 2.2 4.0 32 East Northeast 3.2 3.4 4.6 4.8 4.6 4.6 3.9 3.3 3.7 2.4 2.2 1.9 3.5 32 East 2.1 2.0 3.4 3.9 3.5 3.8 3.4 3.4 3.4 2.7 2.1 2.4 3.0 32 East Southeast 2.1 2.2 4.0 3.8 3.4 3.2 2.8 2.8 3.1 2.4 2.1 2.5 2.9 32 Southeast 2.6 3.3 4.5 5.5 6.0 6.2 4.7 4.8 5.3 4.5 2.6 2.2 4.4 32 South Southeast 3.7 3.4 4.5 6.7 7.4 7.3 7.1 6.8 6.9 6.3 4.5 3.8 5.7 32 South 6.8 6.3 6.6 7.2 8.1 8.9 8.6 7.8 9.4 9.6 9.3 7.4 8.0 32 South Southwest 7.2 5.6 3.8 4.5 5.3 6.3 5.6 6.5 6.8 7.8 8.6 8.2 6.4 32 Southwest 10.7 7.4 6.4 5.8 6.6 6.5 6.7 7.0 6.8 8.1 11.5 12.3 8.0 32 West Southwest 9.9 7.7 6.3 6.3 5.6 6.8 6.4 5.7 5.2 7.0 9.7 9.9 7.2 32 West 9.7 9.4 7.9 6.7 6.1 6.1 5.9 5.6 5.8 6.8 9.0 9.9 7.4 32 West Northwest 9.4 10.6 8.6 6.5 5.4 4.9 5.7 5.2 6.3 7.0 8.8 10.3 7.4 32 Northwest 6.8 7.4 6.4 5.4 4.4 3.8 4.5 5.2 5.6 5.9 6.4 6.7 5.7 32 North Northwest 7.2 8.8 7.8 7.2 5.7 5.0 6.2 7.6 6.1 6.6 6.3 6.4 6.7 32 Calm 7.4 7.9 6.9 7.0 7.9 10.4 13.2 13.9 12.5 11.8 7.8 7.1 9.5 32 Direction (mean speed, knots) North 8.2 9.0 9.2 9.3 8.7 7.3 6.6 6.8 7.1 7.1 8.3 8.6 8.0 32 North Northeast 9.1 9.5 9.7 10.0 8.6 7.4 7.2 7.7 7.5 7.9 8.8 8.7 8.6 32 Northeast 9.7 8.7 8.7 9.1 7.8 7.3 7.4 7.2 7.3 7.7 8.0 9.4 8.1 32 East Northeast 8.8 8.1 8.7 8.1 6.7 6.3 6.1 6.2 6.9 7.1 9.3 9.0 7.5 32 East 7.8 6.9 8.2 7.3 6.3 6.3 5.6 5.6 6.3 6.3 7.9 7.9 6.8 32 East Southeast 9.3 9.3 8.9 8.9 7.1 6.7 6.2 6.5 6.8 7.0 8.7 8.7 7.8 32 Southeast 10.7 9.7 9.6 9.6 8.6 7.6 7.7 7.2 7.7 7.9 9.7 9.2 8.6 32 South Southeast 9.1 9.4 8.7 9.4 8.8 8.1 7.9 8.0 8.4 8.7 10.7 9.5 8.7 32 South 9.1 9.6 9.7 9.0 8.7 8.0 7.5 7.6 8.6 8.7 10.1 9.2 8.8 32 South Southwest 11.0 10.9 10.9 11.5 9.9 8.7 8.0 7.6 9.1 9.2 11.4 10.6 9.9 32 Southwest 11.1 11.3 12.4 11.2 10.1 8.6 8.0 7.7 8.7 9.3 11.1 11.2 10.2 32 West Southwest 10.3 10.4 11.6 10.8 9.8 8.6 7.6 7.1 7.6 8.2 9.9 9.7 9.4 32 West 9.5 9.5 9.9 10.1 8.8 7.9 6.8 6.7 7.3 8.0 9.2 9.3 8.8 32 West Northwest 10.3 10.5 10.6 10.4 8.9 8.3 7.1 6.7 8.0 8.8 9.6 8.5 9.3 32 Northwest 9.8 9.8 10.2 10.1 8.6 7.6 7.7 7.0 7.4 8.2 9.0 9.8 8.9 32 North Northwest 10.0 9.8 9.9 9.7 8.5 7.3 7.1 6.8 7.5 8.2 8.8 9.6 8.7 32 VISIBILITY Mean number of days with fog 12 11 12 11 9 11 9 13 13 13 12 12 138 22 T = trace (not measurable) amount of precipitation Miss or blank is a missing value SEP 2021 U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 8 ¢ 299 19

(41) The average annual precipitation for Mount ice, electricity, sewage pump-out, marine supplies and a Clemens is 27.2 inches (691 mm), which is fairly evenly launching ramp. A 15-ton lift is available for hull, engine distributed throughout the year. The wettest month is and electronic repairs. June with 3.0 inches (76 mm), and the driest is February (51) Fair Haven, MI, is a village on the northeast shore with only 1.6 inches (41 mm). Snow falls on about 79 of Anchor Bay at the mouth of Swan Creek about 4 miles days each year and averages about 30 inches (762 mm) east of New Baltimore. Several privately dredged canals each year. January is the snowiest month averaging about lead to marinas off both sides of the lower part of the eight inches (203 mm). Snow has fallen in every month creek. The approach to the creek is marked by buoys. except June through September and one-foot-plus (305 In 2001, a reported depth of 4 feet was available from mm) accumulations in a given month have occurred in the entrance to about 0.6 mile above the mouth. A slow, each month December through March. Fog is present no-wake speed is enforced in the creek and canals. The on average 138 days each year and is evenly distributed marinas can provide transient berths, gasoline, diesel throughout the year with a slight maximum in during the fuel, water, sewage pump-out, marine supplies, hull and autumn. engine repairs, marine railways to 50 feet and hoists to (42) The prevailing wind direction in Mount Clemens is 50 tons. south during the summer and southwest during the winter. (52) The east side of Anchor Bay, from Fair Haven south, The winter season and transitional months of January is a wide shallow area receiving the outflow from North through April are the windiest period, averaging around Channel and Middle Channel of the St. Clair River. 12 knots. Extremes often occur in squall lines or (53) The mouth of the St. Clair River empties into thunderstorms. A maximum gust of 72 knots occurred in the northeast side of Lake St. Clair through numerous January 1949. channels, creating a delta region. The delta region of the (44) A slow-no wake speed is enforced on the Clinton river, from North Channel southeast to St. Clair Cutoff River. Channel, is described in chapter 9, St. Clair River.

(45) (54) The International Boundary leaves Lake St. Clair Small-craft facilities through South Channel of the St. Clair River. The (46) Numerous marinas on the Clinton River provide Boundary lies along the Channel’s longitudinal axis and gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, electricity, sewage pump- thence along the longitudinal axis of the St. Clair River. out, marine supplies and launching ramps. Hoists to 100 (55) The following is extracted from Canadian Sailing tons are available for hull and engine repairs. Directions CEN304, chapter 2, Lake St. Clair. It is to (47) Detroit Coast Guard Air Station is at Selfridge be noted that the units of miles are nautical miles. Air National Guard Base on the west side of Anchor Bay (56) The Canadian north and east shores of Lake St. Clair north of the Clinton River. Two basins for crash rescue are flat and marshy.Mitchell's Bay (42°28'N., 82°26'W.) craft are 2.4 and 3 miles northwest of the Clinton River is in the northeast corner of the lake between Mitchell's mouth. The southeast basin is protected by a detached Point and St. Anne Island. The buoys in the approaches breakwater marked by two lights on each end, and the to Mitchells Bay are reported to be moved to mark the best northwest basin is marked by two lights. channel. The settlement of Mitchell's Bay, population (48) The shore, north and northeast of Selfridge Air 172 (1981), is on the east side of the bay. National Guard Base, is indented by several small creeks (57) Mitchell's Bay Direction Light (717) is shown at an and privately dredged canals developed for housing and elevation of 32 feet (9.8 m) from a white square skeleton small-craft facilities. A slow-no wake speed is enforced tower, 21 feet (6.4 m) high, with a fluorescent-orange, on these waterways. triangular daymark. (58) (49) Salt River flows into the northwest side of Anchor Landmarks.—A water tower 0.3 mile northeast Bay about 4 miles north from the mouth of the Clinton of Mitchell's Bay Direction light is white in color and River. The entrance to the river is marked by a private marked Mitchell's Bay. It is visible from 10 miles on all 018° lighted range. Several submerged concrete remains approaches. A radio tower 3.5 miles south-southeast of of former light structures are in the entrance channel; Mitchell's Point is a red and white skeleton tower, 230 caution is advised. A slow-no wake speed is enforced feet (70.1 m) high, with air obstruction lights. in the Salt River. Marinas in the lower part of the river (59) The Public wharf at Mitchell's Bay had depths provide gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, sewage pump- of less than 1 foot (0.3 m) in 1994. Most of the wharf out, marine supplies, hull and engine repairs, marine is intended as a lookout for pedestrian traffic; an iron railways to 45 feet and hoists to 25 tons. railing prevents access to the water. The inner end of the (50) New Baltimore, MI, is on the north side of Anchor southeast side of the wharf allows boaters to embark and Bay at the mouth of Frog Creek about 5.5 miles disembark. There is no dredged channel to the Public north-northeast of the Clinton River. A slow-no wake wharf. There are five flag poles on the wharf, and a small speed is enforced in Frog Creek and in the small-craft convenience store with a pay phone is near by. channels at New Baltimore east of the creek. Marinas (60) Caution.—In 1994 there were 16 piles, with at New Baltimore provide gasoline, diesel fuel, water, elevations of 11 feet (3.4 m), along the south side of the wharf, 1 foot (0.3 m) off the wharf face. There were also 2 U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 8 19 SEP 2021 ¢ 300

piles with elevations of 1 foot (0.3 m), one at the southwest northwest-southeast direction off the mouth of Bassett corner and one along the west face of the wharf; these Channel. These piles had signs warning of the fishing latter piles may be submerged at high water levels. and hunting grounds of Walpole Island First Nation. (61) The municipal Peace Park, just north of the Public There was a row of 5 similar piles in the northwest part wharf, has three small launching ramps for rowboats or of Mitchell's Bay. . (74) (42°19'N, 82°27'W) flows in a (62) Marine Park, a St. Clair Parkway Commission generally east to west direction into the southeast end of marina, had depths of 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 m) in 1994 Lake St. Clair; it is reached through a dredged channel and offered dockage with power and water, pump out, 1.3 miles long. The river is navigable by small craft as ramp, some boat hardware, fishing boat rentals, camping, far as Louisville, which is 23 miles upstream. picnic area, pay phone, showers, laundromat, snack (75) A submerged water intake 0.9 mile north of the bar, restaurant and licensed dining room, bait, tackle, mouth of Thames River extends 0.4 mile offshore; the crib ice and gasoline, and monitored VHF Channels 16 and at the outer end has a depth of 3 feet (0.9 m). 68. Several small spar buoys marked the channel to the (76) The entrance channel to Thames River is marked marina. by spar buoys; these may be moved to mark the best (63) There is a crib, awash, on the southeast side of the channel. A least depth of 6 feet (1.8 m) was found in channel to the marina. This crib is at the outer end of a the buoyed channel in 1994. From the mouth of Thames water intake pipeline. River, upstream for the 4.5 miles to St. Peters Church (64) Caution.—In 1994, the approaches to the following (42°21'N, 82°20'W), which is on the south bank, mid- marinas dried at chart datum. channel depths were 6 to 15 feet (1.8 to 4.6 m) in 1994; (65) Vincent's Guide Service, on Patricks on the this part of the river is 400 feet (121.9 m) wide. southeast side of Mitchell's Bay, had depths of 2 feet (77) Caution.—The entrance channel is subject to silting (0.6 m) at the wharves in 1994 and offered dockage with and is reported to be maintained by dredging. power and water, pump out, small boat rentals and fishing (78) The area southwest of the river entrance is a grid charters, water taxi service, picnic area, showers, bait, of canals separating strips of residential land. The south ice, gasoline and winter . entrance point of the river is low and grass-covered with (66) Waterway Camp, on the east shore in a canal off a few trees. Four more canals indent the south bank of Patricks Cove, in 1994 offered dockage with power and the river within 0.2 mile of the entrance. All the shoreline water, ramp, small boat and motor rentals, camping, around the south entrance is protected by sheet steel picnic area, pay phone, showers, snack bar, some pilings. groceries, bait, ice and gasoline. (79) Thames River Entrance light is shown from a white (67) Second Channel (not named on the chart), 50 feet cylindrical tower, with a red daymark, on the first point (15.2 m) wide, has been dredged into Mitchell's Bay of land inside the south entrance of the river. from the entrance to Chenail Ecartéat Martin Island (80) The first point, with the light, is low and mostly paved (42°28'N, 82°27'W). Second Channel is marked by buoys or gravel-covered; it has a Public wharf at the outer end and had a depth of 1 foot (0.3 m) in 1994. and a launching ramp on the upriver side. The wharf is (68) Martin Island Direction Light (719), on the east end 185 feet (56.4 m) long with depths of 8 to 13 feet (2.4 to of Martin Island, is shown at an elevation of 37 feet (11.3 4 m) (1994). The ramp is shallow. m) from a white square skeleton tower, 31 feet (9.4 m) (81) The second point of land is grass-covered with a high, with a fluorescent-orange, triangular daymark. few trees and residences. A conspicuous decommissioned (69) Another channel, 1 mile east of Martin Island, lighthouse stands near the outer end of the second point. leads from the cut outside Mitchell's Bay Public wharf (82) Thames River light buoy T (711.5) lies 1.9 miles to Chenail Ecarté. The channel had a depth of 3 feet (0.9 northwest of Thames River Entrance light. m) in 1994 and was buoyed up to Chenail Ecarté, where a (83) Thames River Yacht Club, a private club on the south depth of 52 feet (15.8 m) was found. In 1994 this channel side of Thames River, occupies the third canal from the was weedy. lake. The club had depths of 3 feet (0.9 m) in 1994. (70) Rankin Creek (not named on the chart) enters the (84) Smugglers Marina and Roadhouse is inside the northeast side of Mitchell's Bay. entrance to the fourth canal, 0.2 mile from the lake. (71) Bass Haven Marina, on Rankin Creek, had depths Depths were 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 m) in 1994 and the of up to 1 foot (0.3 m) in 1994 and offered dockage, marina offered dockage with power and water, pump ramp, fishing boat rentals, camping, pay phone, showers, out, boat hardware, salvage, camping, picnic area, pay snack bar, bait, tackle, propane, drinking water, ice and phone, showers, bait, tackle, groceries, ice and gasoline, gasoline, and monitored VHF Channels 16, 68 and 71. and a licensed restaurant. (72) Caution.—The dredged channels in Mitchell's Bay (85) Cove Marina, entered off the fourth canal, had are subject to silting. Dredging is done by priority and depths of 13 feet (4 m) in 1994 and offered dockage may be infrequent. with power and water, pump out, ramp, engine and hull (73) In 1996, a row of 21 piles with elevations of 8 to repairs, 30 tonne hoist, picnic area, pay phone, swimming 10 feet (2.4 to 3 m) covered a distance of 3 miles in a pool, showers, snack bar, restaurant with licensed SEP 2021 U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 8 ¢ 301 19

dinning room, some groceries and ice, and monitored (98) Stoney Point (42°19'N., 82°33'W) is a low, wide VHF Channel 68. point 7 miles east of Belle River. It is wooded, with homes (86) A Canadian Coast Guard Inshore Rescue Boat is and open areas along the shore. The trees are 35 to 50 based at Thames River from the end of May to early feet (10.7 to 15.2 m) in height, giving the land a higher September each year, though these dates are subject appearance. The community of Stoney Point, population to change (see information on Search and Rescue in 1,090 (1981), lies 0.6 mile south-southeast of the point. Canadian Sailing Directions booklet CEN 300 – General (99) A church spire at Stoney Point is 131 feet (39.9 m) Information, Great Lakes). high and can be seen north and east of the point; the spire (87) The Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations has a cross. provide a speed limit of 8 km/hr (4.3 knots) on Thames (100) A submerged water intake at Stoney Point extends River from Lake St. Clair to a position close downstream 0.7 mile offshore; the crib at the outer end has a depth of of Chatham, which is 16.7 miles upstream. 3 feet (0.9 m). (88) Submerged cables, water mains and gas mains cross (101) Ruscom River (42°18'N., 82°37'W), which flows the river between its mouth and the city of Chatham. In into Lake St. Clair 4 miles east of Belle River, is subject 1995, it was reported that an overhead power line also to silting. The entrance channel had a depth of 1 foot (0.3 crosses the river. m) in 1994 and was marked by eight buoys, four on each (89) Baptiste Creek enters the south side of Thames side; these buoys are reported to be moved to mark the River 0.8 mile from its mouth. A cut on the south side 0.4 best approach. A privately maintained light is shown at mile farther up river is dredged through the flat low land a height of 20 feet (6.1 m) from a flagpole at the west side to the Jeannettes Creek station of the Canadian National of the entrance to Ruscom River. Railways. The mouth of Jeannettes Creek is 0.6 mile (102) The Canadian National Railways bridge, 0.1 mile beyond this cut. Between Baptiste Creek and Jeannettes from the entrance, and the Highway bridge, 0.3 mile Creek, the south shore of the river is low and marshy and farther south, have vertical clearances of 10 feet (3 m). the banks are lined with willows; there are many logs and (103) The Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations deadheads. There are waterfront residential properties provide a speed limit of 9 km/hr (4.9 knots) on Ruscom on the north shore past Baptiste Creek. River from its mouth to a second railway bridge, 1.2 miles (90) Luken Marina, on the south side of Thames River at upstream. the mouth of Baptiste Creek, had depths of 1 to 3 feet (0.3 (104) JR’s Sunset Grill and Marina, on the east shore near to 0.9 m) in 1994 and offered dockage with power and the mouth of the river, had depths of 1 foot (0.3 m) in 1994 water, pump out, engine repairs, salvage work, 15 tonne and offered dockage with power and water, pump out, hoist, camping, picnic area, showers, ice, gasoline and ramp, pay phone, licensed restaurant, ice and gasoline. diesel fuel. (105) Deerbrook Marina, on the west side of Ruscom River (91) An abandoned wharf was reported in 1995 on the 0.2 mile south of the lake, had depths of 2 to 3 feet (0.6 river just west of the dredged cut leading to Jeannettes to 0.9 m) in 1994 and offered dockage with power and Creek Station. Also reported was a concrete launching water, pump out, ramp, 18 tonne hoist, boat hardware, ramp at the downstream end of the wharf. repairs and salvage work, small boat rentals, picnic area, (92) (There is no chart coverage of Thames River east of camping, pay phone, snack bar, bait, tackle, propane, ice longitude 82°22.4'W.) and gasoline. (93) Siding, a station on the Canadian National (106) Several overhead power cables span the boat Railways, is on the south shore of the river 7 miles from canals branching south from the marina basin on Ruscom the lake, where the river makes a sharp horseshoe bend. River. (94) A swing bridge crosses Thames River 7.7 miles from (107) Belle River (42°18'N., 82°43'W) lies 3 miles east of the mouth. Upbound traffic uses the southeast channel; Puce River. The town of Belle River, with a population of downbound vessels use the northwest channel. The 4,298 (1991), is near the mouth of the river. bridge opens on demand from 09:00 to 18:00, Sunday to (108) The entrance to Belle River is protected on its east Thursday, and 09:00 to 21:00, Friday, Saturday, statutory side by a wall 0.3 mile long. The outer part of this wall is holidays and Sundays of statutory holidays. The bridge a curving boulder breakwall protecting the entrance to a has a clearance of 20 feet (6.1 m) when closed. marina that lies on the east side of the wall. A sheet steel (95) The city of Chatham, with a population of 43,557 piling wall on the west side of the river mouth extends (1991), is on Thames River 16.7 miles from the entrance. 225 feet (69 m) from shore. There is a starboard hand Chatham is a thriving manufacturing city and the centre daymark on the outer end of the west wall. of a rich farming district. (109) Caution.—The entrance channel to Belle River is (96) The river is 200 feet (61 m) wide through Chatham. subject to silting; in 1994, an area awash was found in The river front is accessible by boat; depths along the the entrance channel. Public wharves were 1 to 6 feet (0.3 to 1.8 m) in 1994. (110) Belle River Pier light (711), on the outer end of the (97) A municipal marina at Chatham offered overnight boulder extension of the east entrance wall, is shown from dockage in 1994. a white circular tower, 24 feet (7.3 m) high, with a red upper part. U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 8 19 SEP 2021 ¢ 302

(111) The railway and highway bridges across Belle River picnic area, pay phone, showers, restaurant and licensed have vertical clearances of 9 and 7 feet (2.7 and 2.1 m), dining room, bait, tackle, stove alcohol, ice and gasoline. respectively. (120) Pike Creek(42°19'N, 82°51'W) is a small stream (112) Landmarks.—A water tank at Belle River is 125 feet entering Lake St. Clair 3.8 miles east-southeast of Peche (38.1 m) high with an elevation of 131 feet (39.9 m); Island. The entrance to the creek, between training walls, the tank is painted white, with the words Belle River in is 40 feet (12.2 m) wide. A highway bridge crossing Pike large black letters, and stands on four circular pillars. Creek 0.4 mile from the entrance has a vertical clearance There is a group of four silos 1 mile east of Belle River. A of 7 feet (2.1 m). microwave tower 2.2 miles southeast of Belle River Pier (121) In 1994, a depth of 1 foot (0.3 m) could be carried light has an elevation of 256 feet (78 m); a microwave as far upstream as the Highway bridge, though the tower 1.2 miles farther southeast has an elevation of 296 entrance was weedy. Privately maintained buoys mark feet (90.2 m); a microwave tower 1.5 miles west of Belle the channel; these buoys are reported to be moved to River has an elevation of 210 feet (64 m). These towers indicate the best approach. have air obstruction lights. (122) Caution.—Pike Creek has a sand and silt bottom and (113) A submerged pipeline 0.2 mile east of the Belle is subject to silting. River entrance extends 0.3 mile offshore; the crib at the (123) Pike Creek Entrance light (710.2), on the east side of outer end has a depth of 4 feet (1.2 m). the harbour entrance, is shown at an elevation of 17 feet (114) Belle River Marina, on the east side of the entrance (5.2 m) from a green mast with a port hand daybeacon. to Belle River, had depths of 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) in (124) Pike Creek light (710.1), on the outer end of the west 1994 and offered dockage with power and water, pump training wall, is shown at an elevation of 20 feet (6.1 m) out, ramp, picnic area, pay phone, showers, laundromat, from a white mast. This light is privately maintained. snack bar, ice and gasoline. (125) Landmarks.—A spherical-shaped water tower 1 (115) Puce River (42°18'N., 82°47'W) is a small stream mile south-southeast of Pike Creek light has an elevation 3 miles east-southeast of Pike Creek. The entrance is of 142 feet (43.3 m) and is floodlit. A water tower 2 miles between two sheet steel piling walls 80 feet (24.4 m) east-southeast of Pike Creek is painted blue and yellow, apart. though in 1994 the paint was faded; this water tower is (116) Caution.—The entrance to Puce River is subject to marked Township of Maidstone and has air obstruction silting. In 1994, 2 feet (0.6 m) could be carried as far as lights. This second tower is prominent from offshore but Puce River Harbour, where depths shoaled to 1 foot (0.3 is hidden from some directions when within 1 mile of m). Six privately maintained buoys are reported to mark shore. the best channel. A reported depth of less than 1 foot (0.3 (126) South Port Sailing Club, a private club and sailing m) was found in this channel in 1997. school on the west side of Pike Creek, 0.1 mile from the (117) Rivière aux Puces light (710.3), on the north end of mouth, had depths of 2 feet (0.6 m) in 1994. the wall on the west side of the river entrance, is shown (127) Ted Dudley’s Marina, on the east side of Pike Creek, at an elevation of 17 feet (5.3 m) from a white mast. 0.4 mile from the mouth, had depths of 1 to 2 feet (0.3 to (118) A Canadian National Railways bridge crossing 0.6 m) in 1994 and offered dockage with power and water, Puce River 0.1 mile from the lake has a vertical clearance ramp, and 10 tonne hoist. of 9 feet (2.7 m); a highway bridge close upstream has a (128) Pud’s Place Marina, on the west side of Pike Creek, vertical clearance of 7 feet (2.1 m). 0.5 mile from the mouth, had depths of 1 to 2 feet (0.3 (119) Puce River Harbour, on the west shore of Puce to 0.6 m) in 1994 and offered dockage with power and River north of the bridges, had depths of up to 2 feet (0.6 water, pump out, 10 tonne hoist, boat hardware, engine m) in 1994 and offered dockage with power and water, and hull repairs, salvage, and small boat rentals, pump out, ramp, 20 tonne hoist, boat hardware, engine picnic area, pay phone, showers, snack bar, bait, tackle, and hull repairs, salvage, personal watercraft rentals, ice and gasoline, and monitored VHF Channels 16 and 68. SEP 2021 U.S. Coast Pilot 6, Chapter 8 ¢ 303 19