Mamajuda Island
Encyclopedia
Mamajuda Island sometimes identified as Mama Juda Island, is an American
island in the Detroit River
. It is located just east of the northern tip of Grosse Ile
(Hennepin Point) and about 500 feet (152 m) west of the Canada–United States border. The island is part of Grosse Ile Township
in Wayne County
, Michigan
. It is the smallest of all charted islands in the Detroit River.
The former 30-acre (12 ha) island has since been lost due to erosion
. Only a very small portion of it, consisting of a few boulders, appears above water during times of low water levels. Because of that, the island has no definitive size and cannot be used for any purposes. The island does not appear on many maps anymore, but it can be seen on some of the most precise online maps
. The island is part of the much larger Mamajuda Island Shoal, which runs along the east coast of Grosse Ile. The shoal
is about 3–8 feet (0.9–2.4 m) beneath the surface and runs all the way to Grassy Island
. The area, including Mamajuda Island, has since become part of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
.
The island was originally named after an American Indian
woman who regularly camped on the island during fishing season. In 1849, the Mama Juda Lighthouse was built on the island, and the lighthouse keeper and his family were the island's only inhabitants. The lighthouse itself was rebuilt in 1866. However, the loose composition of the island was subject to slow erosion that eventually washed away the lighthouse in 1950. The whole island itself disappeared by 1960, and only a few boulders from the former island periodically protrude above the surface. However, because of the underlying shoal, the area can pose a hazard for boating in the area, especially for large lake freighter
s that regularly travel within close proximity.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
island in the Detroit River
Detroit River
The Detroit River is a strait in the Great Lakes system. The name comes from the French Rivière du Détroit, which translates literally as "River of the Strait". The Detroit River has served an important role in the history of Detroit and is one of the busiest waterways in the world. The river...
. It is located just east of the northern tip of Grosse Ile
Grosse Ile (Michigan)
Grosse Ile is the largest island in the Detroit River and is the most populated island in the state of Michigan. It is on the American side of the river and is part of Wayne County. The island is approximately 9.6 mi² and has a population of 10,894...
(Hennepin Point) and about 500 feet (152 m) west of the Canada–United States border. The island is part of Grosse Ile Township
Grosse Ile Township, Michigan
Grosse Ile Township is a general law township of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The township is situated on several islands in the Detroit River, but the largest island is also referred to as simply Grosse Ile. The name comes from French Grosse Île, meaning "Big Island"...
in Wayne County
Wayne County, Michigan
-History:Wayne County was one of the first counties formed when the Northwest Territory was organized. It was named for the American general "Mad Anthony" Wayne. It originally encompassed the entire area of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, as well as small sections that are now part of northern...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It is the smallest of all charted islands in the Detroit River.
The former 30-acre (12 ha) island has since been lost due to erosion
Erosion
Erosion is when materials are removed from the surface and changed into something else. It only works by hydraulic actions and transport of solids in the natural environment, and leads to the deposition of these materials elsewhere...
. Only a very small portion of it, consisting of a few boulders, appears above water during times of low water levels. Because of that, the island has no definitive size and cannot be used for any purposes. The island does not appear on many maps anymore, but it can be seen on some of the most precise online maps
Web mapping
Web mapping is the process of designing, implementing, generating and delivering maps on the World Wide Web and its product. While web mapping primarily deals with technological issues, web cartography additionally studies theoretic aspects: the use of web maps, the evaluation and optimization of...
. The island is part of the much larger Mamajuda Island Shoal, which runs along the east coast of Grosse Ile. The shoal
Shoal
Shoal, shoals or shoaling may mean:* Shoal, a sandbank or reef creating shallow water, especially where it forms a hazard to shipping* Shoal draught , of a boat with shallow draught which can pass over some shoals: see Draft...
is about 3–8 feet (0.9–2.4 m) beneath the surface and runs all the way to Grassy Island
Grassy Island
Grassy Island is a small, uninhabited 72-acre American island in the Detroit River. It is located just north of Grosse Ile and west of Fighting Island, about 600 feet west of the Canada–United States border. The island is part of Wayne County, Michigan with Wyandotte being the closest city. ...
. The area, including Mamajuda Island, has since become part of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is the only international wildlife refuge in North America. It was established in 2001 and is managed jointly by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Service. The refuge is located along the western coast of Lake...
.
The island was originally named after an American Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
woman who regularly camped on the island during fishing season. In 1849, the Mama Juda Lighthouse was built on the island, and the lighthouse keeper and his family were the island's only inhabitants. The lighthouse itself was rebuilt in 1866. However, the loose composition of the island was subject to slow erosion that eventually washed away the lighthouse in 1950. The whole island itself disappeared by 1960, and only a few boulders from the former island periodically protrude above the surface. However, because of the underlying shoal, the area can pose a hazard for boating in the area, especially for large lake freighter
Lake freighter
Lake freighters, or Lakers, are bulk carrier vessels that ply the Great Lakes. The best known was the , the most recent and largest major vessel to be wrecked on the Lakes. These vessels are traditionally called boats, although classified as ships. In the mid-20th century, 300 lakers worked the...
s that regularly travel within close proximity.