Saginaw River – Industrial Corridor into Saginaw Bay
The Saginaw River flows from central Michigan into Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron),
serving as a major commercial shipping corridor since the 1800s. The river supported logging transport,
shipbuilding, coal distribution, industrial shipping, and later steel manufacturing.
While visibility and recreational access can be limited, the Saginaw River holds a range of historically
significant submerged features — including wooden barges, industrial equipment, dock structures, and the
remnants of vessels used during Michigan’s logging and industrial eras.
Regional Map & Planning Tools
Use the Shotline map to visualise the river corridor and the Master Wreck Index for any
documented wrecks or industrial sites in the Saginaw system.
Saginaw River – Shotline Map Layer
Interactive Shotline Diving map for the Saginaw River corridor, showing known industrial sites,
submerged structures and any documented wreck targets.
Master Wreck Index – Saginaw River
Filtered view of any Saginaw River entries in the Shotline Master Wreck Index: depth, GPS where
available, type of site, and links into individual records.
Featured “Must Dive” Sites – Saginaw System
Any sites in the Saginaw corridor tagged as Must Dive in the Shotline archive will appear here.
Many locations in this river are industrial or low-visibility; always review the full site record, local
regulations, and dive within your training.
[sld_must_dive_grid body_of_water=”Saginaw River” posts_per_page=”4″]
Representative Sites & Industrial Features
Saginaw Wooden Barge Remains
Type: Logging / Cargo Barges
Depth: 5–10 m / 16–33 ft
Access: Limited / Industrial
Timber and wooden hull sections tied to the river’s major logging and early commercial
shipping industries.
Industrial Workboat Remnants
Type: Utility Craft
Depth: 6–12 m / 20–40 ft
Access: Limited / Non-recreational
Fragments of vessels used for dredging, towing and river maintenance along the
commercial waterfront.
Dredge & Machinery Debris
Type: Industrial Equipment
Depth: 6–14 m / 20–46 ft
Access: Survey / Non-recreational
Historic dredging equipment and machinery from repeated deepening operations
supporting commercial development.
Old Wharf & Dock Structures
Type: River Infrastructure
Depth: 4–10 m / 13–33 ft
Access: Variable / Hazard-aware
Collapsed timber foundations and industrial riverfront structures from the early 20th century
and earlier commercial phases.
Gallery
Weather & Conditions
Emergency Information
Emergency: 911
US Coast Guard (Saginaw Bay): VHF 16
Local Fire / Marine Rescue: Saginaw County Dispatch
Nearest Hyperbaric Chambers: Covenant Medical Center, MI
Preservation & Regional Organizations
References & Links
- NOAA Saginaw Bay charts
- Michigan maritime industrial archives
- C-3 Inland Waters Wreck Register
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Shotline Diving Master Index