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Wisconsin v. Michigan
Citations: 297 U.S. 547; 56 S. Ct. 584; 80 L. Ed. 856; 1936 U.S. LEXIS 539Docket: 12, Original
Court: Supreme Court of the United States; March 15, 1936; Federal Supreme Court; Federal Appellate Court
Michigan initiated a lawsuit against Wisconsin to clarify the boundary between the two states. Following a previous court decision on March 1, 1926, a decree was established on November 22, 1926, based on mutual consent. However, Wisconsin filed a new suit on November 7, 1932, claiming that the 1926 decree did not accurately reflect the court's earlier ruling regarding specific tracts of land known as 'Grassy Island' and 'Sugar Island', along with the Green Bay boundary. A special master was appointed to gather evidence, hear arguments, and recommend a new decree. On May 20, 1935, the court determined a new boundary line through Green Bay, beginning between the Menominee River's harbor piers and extending to Lake Michigan. The decree designated 'Grassy Island' and 'Sugar Island' as belonging to Michigan. The special master was tasked with preparing a decree to implement this decision, with the authority to gather further evidence and hear counsel. Wisconsin objected to parts of the proposed decree concerning the boundary definitions not specified in the previous court decision, suggesting alternative decrees, while Michigan supported the master's recommendation. The court ultimately overruled Wisconsin's objections and approved the boundary definitions established by the special master. The court's decree from November 22, 1926, in the case of Michigan v. Wisconsin is modified to remove specific definitions of the boundary in the Menominee River and surrounding waters, replacing them with definitions recommended by the appointed master. The modified decree establishes the boundary between Michigan and Wisconsin, outlining its course starting from Lake Superior, through the Montreal River's main channel, to the headwaters as per Captain Cram's survey. It follows the survey line of William A. Burt from 1847 to the center of the channel between Middle and South Islands in the Lake of the Desert, continuing to Lake Brule's southern shore and down the center of the Brule and Menominee Rivers. The boundary is precisely defined, including specific angles and distances to notable landmarks, culminating at a point near the concrete bridge on U.S. Highway No. 41 between Menominee and Marinette. Detailed measurements and geographical references are provided to ensure clarity in the boundary's delineation. The boundary delineation proceeds along the center line of the dredged channel of the Menominee River, passing through the center of the movable drawbridge between Menominee and Marinette, and continues to a midpoint between the outer ends of the Menominee Harbor piers. For the Brule and Menominee rivers, the boundary follows the main channel, with specific provisions for islands: islands in the Brule River are allocated to Michigan, while islands in the Menominee River below Quinnesec Falls are allocated to Wisconsin. The boundary then extends from the midpoint of the Menominee Harbor piers on a true azimuth of 101 degrees and 15 minutes for approximately 11,470 meters (about 7.125 miles), followed by a course of 11 degrees and 45 minutes for 14,250 meters (approximately 8.875 miles), then 58 degrees and 50 minutes for 8,290 meters (approximately 5.125 miles), and continues with further specified azimuths and distances totaling several more miles in defined directions. All azimuths are calculated from true north in a clockwise direction. The costs of this legal action, including fees for the special master, will be shared equally by both parties involved.