Port Austin Reef

This light has several features that are unusual for reef/shoal lights: (1) its base is octagonal rather than square or round and (2) it has its own 20 ft. narrow concrete dock. Because the reef comes as close as three feet from the surface, only small boats or skiffs could use the platform to bring supplies or visitors to this station.
LOCATION: South side of harbor entrance, SE side of Saginaw Bay, SW side of Lake Huron	CURRENT TOWER LIT: 1899
CURRENT USE: Active aid to navigation	AUTOMATED: 1953
FOUNDATION MATERIALS: Pier	LIGHTHOUSE MATERIALS: Brick
TOWER SHAPE: Square --- 57 ft. tall
COLOR(S)/MARKINGS/PATTERN: Buff with black lantern
ORIGINAL LENS: Fourth Order, Fresnel / now has a 200mm glass lens
NEAT CHARACTERISTICS: This light is now being maintained by the Port Austin Reef Light Association (P.O. Box 546, Port Austin, MI 48467). Also, shipwrecks and other interesting sights in the area have been mapped and set aside as part of the Thumb Area Bottomland Preserve, an underwater park for divers.

Port Austin Reef Light