Situated at the intersection of US-2 and US-45 in Watersmeet Township, in eastern Gogebic County, not far from the Wisconsin border, the community of Watersmeet, Michigan is unincorporated.
In Michigan, unincorporated communities don't have defined boundaries, but Watersmeet is also a census-designated place (CDP), which has defined boundaries for the purpose of the United States census, although they have no legal status and may or may not conform to locally accepted ideas of what is or is not part of the community.
For example, the Watersmeet CDP restricts its boundaries to an area north of US-2, but it's likely that people living on the south side of the highway consider themselves to be in Watersmeet. For the purpose of categorization, we will be using both the CDP boundaries and postal addresses.
The CDP boundaries follow the north side of US-2 west to Old US-2 West, then north on Sylvania Road to Sucker Lake Road, then following Sucker Lake Road to US-45 to a point just east of the Middle Branch of the Ontonagon River, then southeast along an unnamed waterway, and, finally, south along a non-geographic but uneven line south to US-2.
US-2 connects Watersmeet with Iron River to the east, and Wakefield to the west, while US-45 connects with Ontonagon to the north and Wisconsin to the south.
Situated in the Ottawa National Forest, two segments of the Lac Vieux Desert Indian Reservation are in the area, one of them immediately adjacent to the CDP on the east. The band of Chippewa has occupied this territory since the 17th century.
The unincorporated community of Paulding is just over nine miles to the north of Watersmeet, but the nearest incorporated village or city is Iron River, more than thirty miles to the west. Michigan cities and villages within fifty miles of Watersmeet include Iron River, Caspian, Gaastra, Wakefield, Crystal Falls, Ontonagon, Alpha, and Bessemer.
Wisconsin towns and cities within that distance are Conover, Land O' Lakes, Phelps, Alvin, Lincoln, Cloverland, Eagle River, Presque Isle, Boulder Junction, Sugar Camp, Three Lakes, St. Germain, Hiles, Arbor Vitae, Tipier, Woodruff, Winchester, Manitowish Waters, Long Lake, Minocqua, and Lake Tomahawk.
Today, the Watersmeet CDP has a population of 428, so it is a small community. Due to its position in the middle of a national forest, there are opportunities for camping, hiking, canoeing, fishing, and hunting in the surrounding region, including ten national forest campgrounds in the area recognized as Watersmeet.
The confluence of Duck Creek and the Middle Branch of the Ontonagon River is in Watersmeet. The Ontonagon River is formed by a confluence of several longer branches, portions of which have been designated as a National Scenic River. The river eventually flows into Lake Superior at Ontonagon.
There are several lakes in the area surrounding Watersmeet, including the Cisco Chain of Lakes, which consists of fifteen interconnected lakes with more than two hundred and seventy miles of scenic shoreline. Three of the lakes in the chain border Michigan and Wisconsin.
In the winter, people come to the region for its forty miles of cross-country ski trails, and snowmobiling is also a popular winter recreational activity, along with snowshoeing and ice fishing.
The Watersmeet area is also served by the State Line Trail, a 109-mile hiking trail through the western third of the Upper Peninsula, following a section of the Chicago & North Western Railway, with more than fifty bridges along the way. Used by hikers, horseback riders, snowmobilers, and bikers, although the rocky roadbed is not recommended for road bicycles.
Watersmeet rose up around a junction of two lines of the Chicago & North Western Railway. Their line from Wisconsin came to Watersmeet, then went west to Ironwood, and another line connected from Iron River, forming the junction. Later, another branch line was built north through the town, and north into the forests around Lake Gogebic.
The railroad maintained a depot in Watersmeet, as well as water and coal stations, a turntable, a wye, a 7-stall roundhouse, and a railroad yard.
On January 14, 1884, a post office was established, with Sereno M. Streeter as the first postmaster. The indigenous tribes described the area as the place where the waters meet, that being the Middle Branch of the Ontonagon River and Duck Creek, and that was the origin of the name.
Watersmeet was in Ontonagon County until Gogebic County was broken off in 1887.
The focus of this portion of our web guide is on the unincorporated community known as Watersmeet, Michigan. Governmental entities, businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities in Watersmeet are appropriate topics for this category.
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Recommended Resources
Catholic Communities of Iron River, Caspian & Watersmeet
Representing three separate churches joined together as one Catholic Family in the Diocese of Marquette, Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the Family includes St. Agnes Church in Iron River, St. Cecilia Church in Caspian, and Immaculate Conception Church in Watersmeet, Michigan. Addresses, Mass, Adoration, and Confession schedules, and additional information about each of the churches are available, along with contacts, calendars of events, church bulletins, and ministries.
https://www.catholicyooperfaithful.org/
The authorized Polaris family-owned dealership sells new and used ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles, carrying a full line of Polaris and aftermarket clothing and accessories. Located in Watersmeet, Michigan, the business also offers rentals of UTVs, snowmobiles, track-sides, ATVs, and watercraft. Its current inventory, catalogs of pre-owned inventory, Polaris off-road vehicles, and Polaris snowmobiles may be viewed, along with a list of services and rentals, The address, hours, and contacts.
https://www.headwaterspolaris.com/
Lac Vieux Desert Health Center
Offering primary care, dental care, a walk-in clinic, behavioral health services, optometry care, podiatry care, chiropractic care, community health services, veteran's programs, and Telehealth services, the health facility is located along US Highway 45 in Watersmeet, Michigan. Its location, office hours, an overview of its services, and an online appointment request form are available, along with a calendar of events, career opportunities, and a patient portal.
https://lvdhc.org/
Located along US Highway 2, one mile west of Watersmeet, Michigan, the business is open seven days a week, with differing hours depending on the season. The store stocks items necessary for canoe camping trips into the Sylvania Wilderness, as well as rentals of kevlar, aluminum, and other lake and river canoes, carbon fiber paddles, kayaks, rowboats, trailers, tents, gas stoves, folding tables, chairs, and other supplies. Day trips are also hosted by Sylvania Outfitters. Prices are given.
http://www.sylvaniaoutfitters.com/
Township of Watersmeet, Gogebic County, Michigan
The civil township includes the Lac Vieux Desert Indian Reservation and the unincorporated community and census-designated place of Watersmeet. The official township website publishes township meeting agendas, notices, and minutes, ordinances, and various forms, petitions, affidavits, applications, and other documents, some of which may be downloaded in PDF format. Administrative and departmental contacts are included, along with a calendar of upcoming events, and other resources.
https://www.watersmeet.us/
Maintained by the Watersmeet Chamber of Commerce, the site presents a profile of the unincorporated community, and promotes the area as a great site for tourism, including its hotels, motels, resorts, campgrounds, and vacation rentals, as well as what it has to offer for snowmobilers, skiers, fishermen, campers, hikers, and canoers. Area businesses, lodging facilities, and events are highlighted, along with a guide to local governments, schools, and lake associations.
http://www.watersmeet.org/
