DeTour Reef Light

DeTour Reef Light
Distant view from Drummond Island
LocationLake Huron, Michigan
Coordinates45°56′56.12″N 83°54′10.98″W / 45.9489222°N 83.9030500°W / 45.9489222; -83.9030500
Tower
FoundationConcrete Crib pier
ConstructionReinforced concrete and steel
Automated1974
HeightTower - 78 feet (24 m)
ShapeSquare tower, Integral White square superstructuredecahedron lantern
MarkingsWhite with black trim & red roof
HeritageNational Register of Historic Places listed place, Michigan state historic site 
Fog signalHORN: 2 every 60s
Racon"D" (Delta)(– • •)
Light
First lit1931
Focal height74 feet (23 m)
Lensthird and one-half order Fresnel lens (19081978), VRB-25, fourth order Fresnel lens (18571870) 
RangeW 16 nautical miles; 29 kilometres (18 mi), R 15 miles (24 km)
CharacteristicFl W 10s (R sector) Red from 079.5° to 189.5°.
DeTour Reef Light Station
Nearest cityDeTour Township, Michigan
Area0.1 acres (0.040 ha)
ArchitectOffice of Supt. of Lighthouses
Architectural styleClassical Revival or Art Deco
MPSLight Stations of the United States MPS
NRHP reference No.05000151
Added to NRHPMarch 15, 2005

The DeTour Reef Light is a non-profit-operated lighthouse marking the southern entrance of the DeTour Passage between the eastern end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Drummond Island. The light is an automated active aid to navigation. It marks the northern end of Lake Huron. The passage is used by almost all of the Great Lakes commercial freighter traffic moving to and from Lake Superior, with approximately 5,000 vessel movements annually. It is said to be "the gateway to Lake Superior." In addition, many recreational boaters use the passage. The Light is located in Lake Huron, three miles (5 km) south of the nearest town, DeTour Village, Michigan.