Keweenaw Waterway

The waterway was dredged in the 1860s, extending a small river previously used by natives for transportation and fishing.

[3][4] The local mines' stamp mills dumped large quantities of stamp sand (containing traces of copper and chemical leaching agents) into the waterway, causing significant environmental damage near the sand dumps.

It was established in 1995 and has been designated “A Superior Sports Port” by National Geographic Adventure Magazine.

"[7] The Lake Superior coast line is craggy and varied, claimed to be comparable to Isle Royale, but without the ferry.

Uninhabited wilderness, occasional nature preserves and parks, are interspersed with sheltered harbors that offer weary paddlers the option for a warm bed, hot meal and shower at a local inn.

Keweenaw Waterway with Portage Lake in center, 2010. Photo by Doc Searles
The Keweenaw Waterway in winter, looking west toward the Portage Lake Lift Bridge .
Frozen Keweenaw Waterway at night.
North end of the Keweenaw Waterway on Lake Superior
The rock jetty at the north entrance separating Lake Superior on the left from the calmer waters of the Waterway on the right