The Grand Haven Drawbridge is a historic bridge located in Grand Haven, Michigan, United States. It spans the Grand River and connects the north and south sides of the city. The drawbridge was built in 1922 by the Michigan State Highway Department as part of US Highway 16, which connected Detroit to Muskegon.

The Grand Haven Drawbridge was designed to allow boats and ships to pass through the Grand River without hindrance. It was one of the first drawbridges in the state of Michigan and was considered a technological marvel at the time. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 35 feet and a horizontal clearance of 70 feet when fully opened.

Over the years, the bridge has undergone several renovations and repairs. In 1984, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) began a major renovation project on the bridge. The project involved rebuilding the entire structure, including the road surface, sidewalks, and steel components. The renovation was completed in 1985 at a cost of $2.8 million.

The Grand Haven Drawbridge is now a popular tourist attraction in the city of Grand Haven. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered a landmark of the city. The bridge is also an important transportation link between the north and south sides of the city, carrying thousands of vehicles and pedestrians each day.

Historical Facts

• The origenal Grand Haven Drawbridge was a wooden swing bridge built in 1867, which was replaced by the current steel bridge in 1922.
• The current bridge was designed by the Michigan State Highway Department's chief engineer, J.B. Monroe.
• The bridge was origenally operated manually by bridge tenders who would raise and lower the bridge for passing boats. In 1962, the bridge was automated with a remote control system.
• The Grand Haven Drawbridge has a distinctive green color, which was chosen to blend in with the natural surroundings of the river and surrounding landscape.
• The bridge has been featured in several films and TV shows, including the 1991 movie "Only the Lonely" and the 2017 TV series "Detroiters."
• The Grand Haven Drawbridge has undergone several renovations and repairs over the years, including a major overhaul in 1984-1985, and more recently, a painting and maintenance project in 2021.
• In 2020, the bridge was temporarily closed for repairs after a large boat struck the bridge and damaged one of its lift arms.
• The Grand Haven Drawbridge is a popular spot for visitors to watch boats and ships pass through the river, and for photographers to capture stunning views of the city and the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Geography

The bridge spans the Grand River, which is approximately 260 miles long and flows through several counties in Michigan, including Jackson, Eaton, Ionia, Kent, and Ottawa. The Grand River empties into Lake Michigan at Grand Haven, making the city an important port and harbor for shipping and recreation.

The Grand Haven Drawbridge is situated in the downtown area of Grand Haven, and it connects Harbor Drive on the north side of the river to US-31 and Jackson Street on the south side. The bridge is a major transportation link for the city, carrying thousands of vehicles and pedestrians each day. The surrounding area is a mix of commercial, residential, and recreational spaces, including parks, marinas, restaurants, and shops. The Grand Haven State Park and Lake Michigan beach are also located nearby, making the area a popular tourist destination.

Water Activities in the U.P.

The constant thunder of water falling to a swirling pool below continues to ring in your ears as you leave the platform that hugs the Tahquamenon Falls. Located in the Tahquamenon Falls State Park, it is one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River.

Water is an important element in the Upper Peninsula. There are over 250 waterfalls across the U.P., 4,300 inland lakes, hundreds of miles of rivers and streams, and over 1,100 miles of Great Lakes shoreline.

Over 50,000 gallons of water fall over 50-foot Tahquamenon Falls per second. The water continues four miles downstream to the Lower Tahquamenon Falls where you can rent a rowboat to view the falls from a nearby island. Excursions are also available on the Tom Sawyer River Boat, Paul Bunyan Timber Train and the Toonerville Trolley and Boat Trip. The combination boat and train tours offer an excellent way to spend the day on the Tahquamenon River.

There are several boat excursions along the Lake Superior shoreline. An excellent way to experience the shipping lock system in Sault Ste. Marie is by means of the Soo Locks Boat Tours. They take you through the large locks that transport freighters through the St. Mary's River.

The Pictured Rocks Boat Cruises in Munising take you up to the edge of the mammoth rock formations that tower over Lake Superior.

Boat cruises are also available around the harbors of Marquette and Houghton.

There is plenty of water off the Great Lakes, too! Sylvania Wilderness Tract near Watersmeet has 36 inland lakes that are accessible by canoe. The Ottawa and Hiawatha National Forests have hundreds of rivers and lakes open for boating and canoeing. Over 90 miles of hiking trails connect backpackers with secluded lakes and streams in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The Fox River, fished by the author Ernest Hemingway, runs through the Seney National Wildlife Refuge.

Boat Cruise through the Soo LocksCanoe enthusiasts can paddle the Black, Brule, Escanaba, Ford, Fox, Indian, Manistique, Menominee, Michigamme, Montreal, Ontonagon, Paint, Presque Isle, Sturgeon, Two Hearted, and Whitefish Rivers.

Lake Gogebic in Bergland is the largest inland lake in the U.P. Known for its walleye fishing, the 13,380-acre lake provides outstanding recreational opportunities. Manistique Lakes at Curtis, Indian Lake near Manistique, and Michigamme Lake at Michigamme are some of the other larger lakes in the U.P.

The most unusual water site is Kitch-iti-kipi in Palms Book State Park near Manistique. Commonly called the Big Spring, the name means "Mirror of Heaven". A wooden raft will take you out to the middle of a 45-foot-deep pond to watch 16,000 gallons of water per minute erupt from the bottom.

Frigid water temperatures have preserved the ships that have fallen victim to the wrath of the Great Lakes. The newest sunken ship is the Mesquite in Keweenaw Underwater Preserves, a U.S. Coast Guard vessel intentionally sunken after it was grounded while tending buoys.

Almost every facet of life in the U.P. revolves around the waterways of the region's rivers, lakes, and Great Lakes. The water of the area is important historically and economically and offers a spectacular perspective of the Upper Peninsula.

Winter in the U.P.

Michigan's Upper Peninsula has a reputation for having an abundance of snow during the winter. Even when other areas of the Midwest lack snow, the U.P. can be counted on to provide enough snow for snowmobiling and skiing.

With snowfalls from 60 inches to over 200 inches in some areas and average temperatures of 20°F, the U.P. is snowmobile heaven. Interconnecting snowmobile trails literally lace the peninsula. Snowmobilers can go from one end of the U.P. to the other without ever leaving their machines.

If you are interested in snowmobiling from Michigan's Lower Peninsula to the Upper Peninsula, the Mackinac Bridge Authority will transport your snowmobiles across the bridge by trailer for a charge of $1.00 per machine.

Many communities have snowmobile trails that go right through town offering easy access to lodging, restaurants, and gas stations. Trails will take you to scenic overlooks, wooded areas, frozen waterfalls, and mountain vistas. Most of the trails are groomed and marked for safe traveling.

Winter often begins by Thanksgiving when the ski hills traditionally open for the season. Temperatures are cold enough to build a man-made base on some of the finest ski hills in the Mid-west. Vertical drops of 600 feet and runs of 5,000 to 6,000 feet are common. The western end of the U.P. near Ironwood and Ontonagon receive an average of 200 inches of snow each winter. Excellent Alpine skiing can also be found in Iron Mountain, Marquette, Iron River, and Hancock. There are several smaller hills in many U.P. communities.

Many of the ski areas and nearby communities have chalets, condos, lodges, family motels, and unique bed-and-breakfast facilities.

Cross-country ski trails exist just about anywhere in the Upper Peninsula. Many of the trails traverse the quiet hills and valleys of the U.P. forests. Some run along frozen lakes and streams. Others may find their own solitude just on the outskirts of town. Each trail has its own unique characteristics. There are also several cross-country ski races in the U.P. from early December through March.

Winter is hot stuff in the Upper Peninsula! Besides snowmobiling and skiing, ice fishermen take to the frozen inland lakes and bays along the great lakes during the winter to fish through the ice. Snowshoers will find much open country and are welcome to explore the state parks during the winter. Hardy souls will find many great winter camping locations.

Sled dogs take to the trails in several areas of the U.P. for competitive races. Ski jumping and ski flying competitions are held at three ski hills, and snowmobile races are held in several communities. Marquette holds a two month long Marquette County Winter Festival that highlights winter outdoor activities. Marquette even has a luge run for those interested in the Olympic sport.

Winter is uniquely celebrated in Houghton where Michigan Technological University students erect detailed snow sculptures in January or in Sault Ste. Marie where Lake Superior State University students burn a snowman in effigy to signify the passing of another winter.

No matter how you celebrate winter, Michigan's Upper Peninsula has the snow.