NBM Dive Site Resource
J.C. Ford
DeTour Village, Michigan, United States
Officially inventoried shipwreck in DeTour Passage Underwater Preserve. Verify current conditions, access, and mooring status before diving.
Save this dive site to your free member profile.
Historic Photograph
Aquatic life at this dive site
What divers may encounter
Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieuThe J.C. Ford rests in 5–15 feet of Lake Huron water. NOAA identifies smallmouth bass as a dominant summer fish on warmer nearshore wreck and reef habitat.
Eric Engbretson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceOpen Aquatic Life Profile →
Rock Bass
Ambloplites rupestrisNOAA identifies rock bass as a dominant summer fish using warmer nearshore Lake Huron wreck and reef habitat. Sightings vary with visibility and diver approach.
Sam Stukel/USFWSOpen Aquatic Life Profile →
Round Goby
Neogobius melanostomusNOAA reports round gobies as common prey fish on shallower Lake Huron reefs. Watch along the bottom and around the wreck remains.
Peter van der SluijsOpen Aquatic Life Profile →
Site media
Photographs
Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.
Contributor media
Dive videos
Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.Published reference location
Location map
The marker shows the public coordinates associated with this profile. Confirm current access, moorings, and departure details before the dive.Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Recent field observations
Diver-reported temperatures
Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.
Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.
Seasonal planning reference
Typical monthly conditions
Long-term averages, not a forecast. Actual air and water conditions can change quickly and may vary across the site.Moderate-confidence match — Matched by documented Great Lakes port/area. Air and surface-water values are regional planning averages. No bottom-water line is published because a comparable depth-specific record has not yet been verified.
| Month | Average air | Surface water | Bottom water | Bottom measurement depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16.2°F / -8.8°C | 35.5°F / 1.9°C | No reliable record | — |
| Feb | 17.8°F / -7.9°C | 39.5°F / 4.2°C | No reliable record | — |
| Mar | 26.7°F / -2.9°C | 40.5°F / 4.7°C | No reliable record | — |
| Apr | 39.4°F / 4.1°C | 36.4°F / 2.4°C | No reliable record | — |
| May | 52.1°F / 11.2°C | 38.4°F / 3.6°C | No reliable record | — |
| Jun | 61.1°F / 16.2°C | 44.9°F / 7.2°C | No reliable record | — |
| Jul | 66.0°F / 18.9°C | 59.6°F / 15.3°C | No reliable record | — |
| Aug | 65.6°F / 18.7°C | 65.9°F / 18.8°C | No reliable record | — |
| Sep | 58.4°F / 14.7°C | 61.9°F / 16.6°C | No reliable record | — |
| Oct | 46.3°F / 7.9°C | 54.1°F / 12.3°C | No reliable record | — |
| Nov | 34.8°F / 1.6°C | 46.9°F / 8.3°C | No reliable record | — |
| Dec | 23.8°F / -4.6°C | 42.6°F / 5.9°C | No reliable record | — |
NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals — Sault Ste. Marie, MI
1991–2020 climate normalsReview source ↗NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide — North Huron
Historical monthly station averagesReview source ↗Bottom temperature is never inferred from surface temperature. A blank month means no reliable depth-specific average is available. Data reviewed 2026-08-26.
Why divers know this place
Highlights
A source-checked Great Lakes dive location within DeTour Passage Underwater Preserve.
Regional context
Located within
Before you arrive
Access notes
The official inventory establishes this location within the preserve; access method and seasonal mooring availability can change. Published coordinates support regional discovery and are not a substitute for current navigation, active mooring information, operator guidance, permits, weather, or a dive plan.
Plan within your training
Conditions and hazards
Cold freshwater, limited visibility, changing weather and currents, boat traffic, entanglement, and overhead hazards around wreckage.
Independent resource notice
This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.