#coastguard

Charlevoix, Michigan A small USCG boat makes its way under the raised US 31 Island Lake Outlet Bridge. The channel one sees here was dredged in 1870 to connect Lake Charlevoix with Lake Michigan. It is also known as the Pine River Channel.

This double-leaf bascule lift bridge, completed in 1949, is the fifth iteration to span the gap at this location. It goes up every hour and half-hour during the summer to let boats make their way to the “big lake” as we call in in these parts.