West Michigan Underwater Preserve Ribbon Cutting | Environment

Thanks to the hard work of the members of the West Michigan Underwater Preserve, a group created in 1980, close to 345 square miles of underwater treasures will be protected. Shipwrecks and other underwater structures in West Michigan waters will now become a part of  Michigan’s Underwater Preserve System which protects some of the region's most sensitive underwater resources. Although shipwrecks and other underwater cultural resources are protected under the law anywhere in Michigan's Great Lakes waters, the preserves are "underwater museums" that protect concentrations of shipwrecks, unique geological features and other submerged sites.

The new West Michigan Underwater Preserve would promote scuba diving and conservation of the wrecks located here in West Michigan. The West Michigan Underwater Preserve in Lake Michigan covers from north of Big Sable Point, Ludington in the north to the Southwest Michigan Underwater Preserve in the south. This area contains ten known shipwrecks, and almost certainly more waiting to be discovered. The new “preserve” status will result in the marking of the sites so boats and divers can locate and explore the sites more easily. The sites will now be included in the maps for easy location and to protect them from the increase in the shipping traffic to the West Michigan area.

If you are interested in more information on area shipwrecks and diving in West Michigan you can access the West Michigan Underwater Preserve at http://wmup.org/shipwrecks, or find them on Facebook.