How Deep are the Great Lakes?
The largest group of freshwater lakes in the world straddles the countries of the United States and Canada. Holding about 20% of the planet’s freshwater, the Great Lakes formed about 10,000 years ago when the thick glaciers melted. In this article, we will learn about how deep are the Great lakes and more.
What are the Great Five Lakes of North America?
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Lake Erie
The shallowest of all five lakes is Lake Erie which witnessed one of the significant historic battles of the War of 1812. The US Navy emerged victorious in the war with the British Navy. The Lake has its outlet in the Niagara River, sustaining an outflow that forms one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. The lake is however in the news regarding environmental concerns, such as overfishing, pollution, algae blooms, and ‘eutrophication’- a condition where the water body becomes over-enriched with minerals and nutrients. Lake Erie is bordered by four US States Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario. It is the fourth-largest Great Lake by surface area, covering approximately 9,910 square miles(25,700 kilometers). It holds about 116 cubic miles(484 cubic kilometers) of water.
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Lake Huron
Lake Huron is noted as the second-largest freshwater lake in North America, covering approximately 23,000 square miles(59,600 square kilometers). The name is derived from the Huron people who were early inhabitants of the regions near the lake. The lake is known to have the longest shoreline in comparison to the other lakes, it also sustains the largest freshwater island-Manitoulin. There is a massive amount of Sulphur present in the lake, which leads to the formation of numerous sinkholes deep underwater. Lake Huron is bordered by the Canadian province of Ontario to the north and east, and the US State of Michigan to the west and south. The lake holds about 850 cubic miles(3,540 cubic kilometers) of water, making it the third-largest Great Lake by volume.
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Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is the smallest and easternmost of the five Great Lakes of North America and is bordered by the Canadian province of Ontario to the north and west and the US State of New York to the east and south. It has a surface area of about 7,340 square miles(19,000 square kilometers) making it the smallest of the Great Lakes by surface area. Lake Ontario holds approximately 393 cubic miles(1,639 cubic kilometers) of water. The name itself translates into “Lake of Shining Waters”. Winds and currents prevailing in the lake have led to the formation of ‘bay mouth bars’, which is another name for sandbanks. This has further resulted in numerous lagoons and sheltered harbors, which are home to an abundance of flora and fauna. Ice sheets may develop on the lake, but water never freezes, on the whole.
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Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is the only freshwater lake within the boundaries of the United States. It is the second-largest freshwater lake on the continent and its volume is 1,180 cubic miles(4,918 cubic kilometers) of water. Scholars believe that the Hopewell Indians were the earliest inhabitants near the regions of the lake. The lake contributed tremendously to the development of Chicago and the midwestern United States. The lake sustains the largest freshwater sand dunes in the world. The lake is the third-largest by surface area covering approximately 22,400 square miles(58,000 square kilometers).
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Lake Superior
The biggest of the five lakes is Lake Superior. It is also the third-largest freshwater lake in the world covering approximately 31,700 square miles(82,100 square kilometers). The lake holds 2,900 cubic miles(12,100 cubic kilometers) of water. Over 200 rivers feed this lake, including the Nipigon River, the St Louis River, the Pigeon River, the Pic River, and the White River. The water level fluctuates monthly, with the lowest levels occurring in March and April. Isle Royale in the state of Michigan is the largest island of the lake.
Deepest of Great Lakes
Lake Superior is the deepest of the Great Lakes, with a maximum depth of approximately 1,333 feet (406 meters), and holds more water than the other four lakes combined.
Depth of All Five Great Lakes
Here are the maximum depths of each of the five Great Lakes, showing how deep the Great Lakes are.
- Lake Erie is the shallowest and smallest by volume, making it the warmest and most biologically productive, but also the most susceptible to pollution. The depth of this lake is 210 feet(64 meters) and the average depth is 62 feet(19 meters).
- Lake Huron has an average depth of 195 feet (59 meters) and a maximum depth of 750 feet (229 meters).
- Lake Ontario, the smallest by surface area, is relatively deep, with an average depth of 283 feet (86 meters) and a maximum depth of 802 feet (244 meters).
- Lake Michigan has an average depth of 279 feet (85 meters) and a maximum depth of 923 feet (281 meters).
- Lake Superior has an average depth of about 483 feet (147 meters) and a maximum depth of 1,333 feet (406 meters).
Interesting Facts about the Great Lakes
- Combined, the Great Lakes cover an area of about 94,250 square miles (244,106 square kilometers). They hold approximately 5,439 cubic miles (22,671 cubic kilometers) of water.
- The Great Lakes are an important transportation route. The region around the Great Lakes is also a major hub for industry and agriculture.
- The lakes and their surrounding areas are home to a wide variety of ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and sand dunes, supporting diverse plant and animal species.
- The Great Lakes region is a popular destination for boating, fishing, swimming, and other outdoor activities, attracting millions of visitors each year.
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