View source for Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

{{Organization
|OrganizationName=Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
|OrganizationType=Independent Agencies (Sub-organization)
|Mission=Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary protects and interprets a nationally significant collection of shipwrecks in Lake Huron, promoting education, research, and stewardship to preserve maritime heritage and support recreational activities.
|ParentOrganization=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce
|OrganizationExecutive=Superintendent
|Services=Shipwreck Preservation; Educational Programs; Research; Diving and Boating Opportunities; Public Outreach
|HeadquartersLocation=45.06709, -83.43281
|HeadquartersAddress=500 W. Fletcher Street, Alpena, MI 49707
|Website=https://thunderbay.noaa.gov
}}
{{short description|Aquatic protected area in Michigan, USA}}

'''Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve''' is a [[United States National Marine Sanctuary]] on [[Lake Huron]]'s [[Thunder Bay (Michigan)|Thunder Bay]], within the [[Northern Michigan|northeastern region]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Michigan]]. It protects an estimated 116 [[List of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes|historically significant shipwrecks]] ranging from nineteenth-century wooden side-wheeler [[paddle steamer]]s to twentieth-century [[steel]]-[[Hull (ship)|hulled]] [[Steamship|steamers]]. There are a great many wrecks in the sanctuary, and their preservation and protection is a concern for [[United States Government]] policymakers.<ref>[http://www.oceancommission.gov/meetings/sep24_25_02/gray_testimony.pdf Statement of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Director] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715071456/http://oceancommission.gov//meetings/sep24_25_02/gray_testimony.pdf |date=2007-07-15 }}</ref> The landward boundary of the sanctuary extends from the western boundary of [[Presque Isle County, Michigan|Presque Isle County]] to the southern boundary of [[Alcona County, Michigan|Alcona County]]. The sanctuary extends east from the lakeshore to the [[Canada–United States border|international border]]. [[Alpena, Michigan|Alpena]] is the largest city in the area.

==History==
The [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] established Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve on June&nbsp;22, 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sanctuary Designations & Expansions |url=https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/about/designations.html |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=NOAA}}</ref> It became the thirteenth [[National Marine Sanctuary|national marine sanctuary]] overall and first on the [[Great Lakes]]. Original boundaries followed that of [[Alpena County, Michigan|Alpena County]] to [[83 degrees west]] [[longitude]] totaling {{convert|448|sqmi|sqnmi km2|0}}. In 2014 it was expanded to {{convert|4300|sqmi|km2|0}}.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Vernon|last2=Gandualla|first2=Stephanie|title=NOAA expands Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron|url=http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/press/2014/pr090514.html|website=[[NOAA]]|access-date=11 September 2014}}</ref>  The marine sanctuary contains many [[shipwreck]]s, such as the hull of package freighter [[SS Pewabic|SS ''Pewabic'']].
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==Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center==
Tied to the sanctuary is the '''Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center'''. The museum, located in Alpena on the [[Thunder Bay River]], features exhibits about local shipwrecks and the Great Lakes, an auditorium, an [[archaeological conservation]] laboratory, and education areas.

== Visitation ==
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors. The sanctuary is renowned for its exceptional [[shipwreck]] [[Recreational diving|diving]] experiences, suitable for both novice and experienced [[Underwater diving|divers]]. Several charter services provide guided dives to the sanctuary's shipwrecks, ensuring safe and educational experiences. [[Boating]] is another popular activity, with numerous [[Slipway|boat launches]] and [[marina]]s available in the area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Exploring America's Underwater Treasures |url=https://www.greatlakesdirect.com/huron/thunder-bay.php |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=www.greatlakesdirect.com}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of shipwrecks in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary]]
*[[Michigan Underwater Preserves]]
*[[Rockport State Park (Michigan)|Rockport State Park]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://thunderbay.noaa.gov/ Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve] NOAA
*[http://thunderbay.noaa.gov/visit/welcome.html Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center] NOAA
*[http://www.michiganpreserves.org/thunder.htm Michigan Underwater Preserve Council]
*[https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/29/travel/thunder-bay-national-marine-sanctuary.html "In Michigan, a Park Made of Water"] – New York Times

{{Commons category}}

{{Protected Areas of Michigan}}
{{National marine sanctuaries of the United States}}
{{Recreational dive sites|wrereg}}

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[[Category:Archaeological sites in Michigan]]
[[Category:Landmarks in Michigan]]
[[Category:Marine parks of Michigan]]
[[Category:Maritime museums in Michigan]]
[[Category:Museums in Alpena County, Michigan]]
[[Category:National Marine Sanctuaries of the United States]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Alpena County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 2000]]
[[Category:2000 establishments in Michigan]]
[[Category:Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary|*]]


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