facts about the great lakes
Lake Erie could seem eerie if you’ve ever laid eyes on Bessie, the 30 to 40 foot long lake monster who’s made the lake her home. It is also the largest lake in the United States that is not part of the Great Lakes region.. Great Lakes, chain of deep freshwater lakes in east-central North America comprising Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. A combination of engineering and politics (Canadian) have resulted in the Rideau exception being included in the Great Lakes basin (the orange striped polygon on the Canadian side of the St. Lawrence River). The Great Lakes is one of the most crucial waterways in the entire United States as it serves as an access point for both commercial transportation and recreational travel. Interesting The Great Lakes Facts: The Great Lakes cover an area of approximately 94,000 square miles. Thousands of years ago, receding glaciers formed the Great Lakes and created Michigan’s iconic peninsulas. These may change slightly as more detailed mapping is completed for these watersheds. All five of the Great Lakes combined contain 6 quadrillion gallons. Contained within Lake Superior is … 7. 11:17 AM. The 5 Great Lakes include Lake Erie, Michigan, Superior, Huron and Ontario. Lake Superior contains 3 quadrillion (3,000,000,000,000,000) gallons of water: half of the total amount of water that the Great Lakes hold. There are 35,000 islands in the Great Lakes and its water is a home to over 260 different species of fish. The Great Lakes The Great Lakes are the five largest lakes in the United States and include Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. Lake Sturgeon are the oldest and largest fish in the Great Lakes. Great Lakes Fun Facts You Should Know. They are also connected with the Atlantic Ocean by the St Lawrence River. The Great Lakes basin is defined by science, engineering and politics. The Great Lakes are group of interconnected lakes in North America. They are a dominant part of … Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem. Lake Baikal is also the deepest lake in the world. Fun Facts. Lake Monsters, Dr. Seuss and home runs all have one thing in common: the Great Lakes. Amazing facts about the Great Lakes you probably didn't know The Great Lakes of North America make up the largest body of fresh water by area on … The Great Lakes are five large lakes in eastern North America. Today, 20 percent of the world’s fresh surface water is contained in the five great lakes: 5,473 cubic miles (22,812 km³), or 6 quadrillion U.S. gallons (22.81 quadrillion litres) in all. Created by melt water around 14,000 years ago as a glacier moved across the land and carved out the beginning of the great lakes, they are … Combined they contain approximately 5,500 cubic miles of water. Great Lakes Facts The Great Lakes contain 20 percent of the world's surface fresh water. Great Lakes Facts. For example, the Great Lakes hold more than 20% of the world's surface, fresh water and 84% of North America's surface fresh water. 1 The Great Lakes Collectively Hold 20% of the World’s Fresh Water. There have been many shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. The five Great Lakes - Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie and Ontario - span a total surface area of 94,600 square miles and are all connected by a variety of lakes and rivers, making them the largest freshwater system in the world. It doesn’t completely freeze over frequently though. Here are 10 facts about … The Great Lakes are five large lakes in east-central North America. The Great Salt Lake is located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Utah.. The Great Lakes are five large lakes in east-central North America. The Great Lakes, we know there are five of them and that they're the largest fresh water system in the world, but there are things you don't know about them. Great Lakes Facts: 12-20 | Statistics of Great Lakes 12. The world’s largest group of freshwater lakes, the Great Lakes are definitely fascinating: formed 14,000 years ago from retreating ice sheets, they contain 84 percent of North America’s surface fresh water and are important geologically, hydrologically, ecologically, and historically. The Great Lakes basin encompasses large parts of two nations, the United States and Canada. In fact, the Great Lakes are so large they are often referred to as inland seas. Of the five lakes, only lake Michigan is located entirely in the United States. 6. Lake Michigan is Wisconsin's "working lake" and is a critical part of Wisconsin's economy. One of the most interesting facts about Lake Erie is that it’s the only of the 5 Great Lakes that can complete freeze over during the winter months. (US gallon is a unit of measurement of … They are lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. The Lakes hold nearly 22808290948810.85 cubic meters or 6 quadrillion U.S. gallons or 6,02,53,12,97,69,43,847 US gallons. It is enough water to cover the contiguous 48 states to a uniform depth of 9.5 feet (2.9 m). 4. Facts About the Great Lakes. They are Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. 21% of the world’s surface freshwater is present in Lakes. It is the largest salt water lake in the Western Hemisphere, the eighth-largest terminal lake in the world, and the 33rd largest lake on Earth.. The Great Lakes were created by retreating ice sheets from the last glacial period. Lake Superior is the largest body of freshwater in the world by surface area, and the third largest by volume. The Great Lakes are one of the world’s largest surface freshwater ecosystems. Whether these stories are facts or myths, well that’s for you to decide. Fun Facts about our Wonderful Great Lakes 1) The Great Lakes of Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario and the connecting channels form the largest fresh water surface system on earth! The Great Lakes are the main transition, transportation, and trade routes in the area. The boundaries on these two maps are defined by 8-digit Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUC8). It is 1,642 meters (5,387 ft) at its deepest point. The Great Lakes contain approximately 84% of North America's fresh surface water supply. The Great Lakes are dotted with more than 30,000 islands. They hold 21% of the world's surface fresh water. How these statistics were calculated Great Lakes Water Volume The Great Lakes are, from west to east: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. The Great Lakes started to form about 14,000 years ago. Lake Superior contains 3 quadrillion gallons of water (3,000,000,000,000,000). Home The Lake Great Lakes Facts About the Great Lakes. Print. The maps also display the counties in the Great Lakes basin.Detail map of northeast portion of the Great Lakes Basin. The chain of five deep, freshwater bodies known as the Great Lakes make up 20% of the world’s surface water supply. Physical Features of the Great Lakes Note: Total shoreline length is greater than the sum of the shoreline length for the lakes because it includes the connecting channels (but not the St. Lawrence River). The last time it has done so was on February 16, 2010, which was the first time this happened since the winter of 1996. August 3, 2010. Approximately 34 million people in the United States and Canada live in the Great Lakes basin — 8 percent of the U.S. population and about 32 percent of Canada’s population. With 23,615.39 cubic kilometers (5,670 cu mi) of fresh water, it contains more water than the North American Great Lakes combined. They hold 21% of the world’s surface fresh water. Second largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan has a surface area of 22,300 square miles, making it the largest freshwater lake in the U.S. and the 5th largest lake in the world. Here are ten fun facts you may not know about these incredible natural treasures. Most of the basin is defined by hydrology; watersheds that drain into the Great Lakes and their connecting channels are in the Great Lakes basin. Together the Great Lakes cover an area of about 94,850 square miles (245,660 square kilometers). Hydrologically, there are only four lakes, because lakes Michigan and Huron join at the Straits of Mackinac. Read on to be amazed by some facts about the Great Lakes. They are one of the great natural features of … The Great Lakes are the largest freshwater system in the world. This World Wildlife Day, learn why Lake Sturgeon are one of the most interesting species in the Great Lakes. 2) The Great Lakes are one of the youngest natural features on the North American continent! The Great Lakes Region includes eight states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania) and two Canadian provinces (Ontario and Quebec) that surround the five interconnected freshwater bodies known as the Great Lakes. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Detail map of northeast portion of the Great Lakes Basin, The Great Lakes Atlas Third Edition 1995 is available from NSCEP, US EPA's publication service, Data and Map Floor Studies of the Great Lakes from NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, 84% of North America's surface fresh water, about 21% of the world's supply of surface fresh water, Nearly 25% of Canadian agricultural production and 7% of American farm production, Population is more than 30 million people - roughly 10% of the U.S. population and more than 30% of the Canadian population. The Great Lakes are in both the United States of America and Canada. Increasing air and water temperatures mean increased evaporation from the lakes, declining lake levels Discover Art and History Along Mason County's Cultural Trails, Local’s Guide to West Michigan Restaurants, 10 Michigan Picnic Areas for a Relaxing Afternoon, Enchanting Michigan Towns That Will Warm Your Soul This Winter, Hand-Feeding Birds at Kensington Metropark, Things to Do in Charlevoix: The Ultimate Pure Michigan Guide, Comprehensive Guide to Ski Resorts in Michigan, Fly Fishing in Michigan: Your Ultimate Guide, Discover Bellaire: A Pure Michigan Itinerary, The Perfect Pictured Rocks Paddling Guide for a First Time Visitor, 12 Stunning Trails for Horseback Riding in Michigan, Hidden Gems in the Central Upper Peninsula: A Pure Michigan Guide, Michigan Economic Development Corporation. One of the most unbelievable facts about the Great Lakes is that the five lakes – Superior, Michigan, Ontario, Erie and Huron – contain 20% of the fresh water in the world. The Great Lakes of North America, which span 750 miles from east to west, form the largest fresh water system on Earth. The Clean Water Act defines the orange striped polygon on the US side as part of the Great Lakes basin (though hydrologically it drains into the St. Lawrence River). An official website of the United States government. They’re enormous, ancient, culturally important, intelligent, and threatened creatures. South Bay Bessie. The Great Lakes are a series of interconnected freshwater lakes located in North America along the Canadian border. 7. They are a dominant part of the physical and cultural heritage of North America. The Great Lakes are part of the St. Lawrence Seaway shipping route, allowing boats to travel from the Great lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. Facts and Figures about the Great Lakes The Great Lakes are, from west to east: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. RSS. They are located in the northern Midwest along the border between the United States and Canada. Additionally, the Lakes are a valuable resource and the largest body of freshwater on the planet. Shared with Canada and spanning more than 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) from west to east, these vast inland freshwater seas provide water for consumption, transportation, power, recreation and a host of other uses. Myths. The Great Lakes are the source of food, transportation, and drinking water for millions living in Canada and the United States. It is considered among the world's clearest lakes and is considered the world's oldest lake — at 25 million years. Here are our top 5 facts … They form the largest connected area of fresh water on Earth.