Calumet Waterworks
Michigan
Find: Prehnite (pink & green), copper ore, banded iron formation, amygdaloidal basalt & rhyolite, Lake Superior Agate
GPS: 47.27385, -88.53046
Nearest city: Houghton, MI
Recommended Vehicle: Any
Season: Accessible year round, Winter is likely to have significant snow, ice, and frigid temperatures.
Summary:
The Calumet Waterworks is a local favorite - but also a favorite for travelers. This is always one of the more popular rockhounding spots when I visit the Keweenaw Peninsula. With that said, you can still find some fantastic rocks here - especially if you get in the water, including agates.
I found 2 agates about 1.5-2" in diameter even during the packed Summer months.
For best luck beating a crowd, come in the early Spring right after the ice melts if you’re on the hunt for Lake Superior Agates. Waders will come in handy if you want to explore the water for extended periods of time.
Note: There is no photo album or video for this spot since I visited before starting the project.
3 Helpful Tools
Chest Waders
Chest waders are great to stay dry if you want to get in the lake.
Agate Scoop
An agate scoop is helpful to pick things up faster and farther away from you.
Classifier
A classifier is fun to sit with if you’re a fan of small agates and stones. One with a larger, 1-inch mesh would be what I’d pick.