List of largest lakes of the United States by area
| Rank | Name | U.S. states / Canadian provinces / Mexic ... | Area | Area |
| 1 | Lake Superior | Michigan – Minnesota – Wisconsin – Ontar ... | 31,700 sq mi | 82,103 km 2 |
| 2 | Lake Huron | Michigan – Ontario | 23,000 sq mi | 59,570 km 2 |
| 3 | Lake Michigan | Illinois – Indiana – Michigan – Wisconsi ... | 22,300 sq mi | 57,757 km 2 |
| 4 | Lake Erie | Michigan – New York – Ohio – Ontario – . ... | 9,910 sq mi | 25,667 km 2 |
Full Answer
What are the Five Great Lakes from largest to smallest?
What are the five Great Lakes from largest to smallest? Lake Superior (the largest by volume and deepest, larger than Scotland or South Carolina) Lake Michigan (the second-largest by volume and third-largest by area; the only one entirely in the U.S.) Lake Huron (the third-largest by volume; the second largest in area) Lake Erie (the smallest ...
What are facts about the Great Lakes?
Key facts
- Approximately 34 million people in the United States and Canada live in the Great Lakes basin — 8 percent of the U.S. ...
- More than 3,500 species of plants and animals live in the Great Lakes basin, including 170+ species of fish.
- The Great Lakes are among the world’s 15 largest lakes.
What is the smallest of the Great Lakes?
- Lake Superior – the largest by volume and deepest, larger than Scotland or South Carolina.
- Lake Michigan – the second-largest by volume and third-largest by area; the only one entirely in the U.S.
- Lake Huron – the third-largest by volume; the second largest in area.
- Lake Erie – the smallest by volume and shallowest.
What is the largest lake in the Great Lakes?
- Lake Ontario - 7,340 square miles.
- Lake Erie - 9,910 square miles.
- Lake Michigan - 22,404 square miles.
- Lake Huron - 23,007 square miles. Lake Huron is the second largest of the Great Lakes.
- Lake Superior - 31,700 square miles. Lake Superior covers an area of 31,700 square miles and is the largest of the Great Lakes.
How did the ice sheet affect the Earth?
The weight of the ice sheet exerted enormous pressures on the Earth’s crust. As the ice sheet retreated, low-lying, glacially depressed areas, such as the region to the east of Georgian Bay, were exposed. About 10,000 years ago, the upper lakes evidently discharged through this area via the Ottawa River valley, and their levels were substantially reduced. After the weight of the ice was removed, the land (i.e., the outlet to the lakes) began to rise, closing off some outlets and allowing the water levels of the lakes to slowly rise. The largest postglacial lake, Nipissing, occupied the basins of Huron, Michigan, and Superior. Drainage through the Ottawa River valley ceased, and outflow from the upper lakes was established by way of the St. Clair and Detroit rivers into Lake Erie. Uplift has continued at a rate of about 1 foot (30 centimetres) every 100 years; this is evidenced by the drowned river mouths of western Lakes Erie and Superior.
What was the largest postglacial lake in Michigan?
The largest postglacial lake, Nipissing, occupied the basins of Huron, Michigan, and Superior. Drainage through the Ottawa River valley ceased, and outflow from the upper lakes was established by way of the St. Clair and Detroit rivers into Lake Erie.
What was the last glaciation in North America?
The last glaciation in North America is called the Wisconsin Glacial Stage because it left many fresh landforms and sediments in that state. As the ice sheet melted and receded about 14,000 years ago, the first segments of the Great Lakes were created.
How often does uplift occur in the Great Lakes?
Uplift has continued at a rate of about 1 foot (30 centimetres) every 100 years; this is evidenced by the drowned river mouths of western Lakes Erie and Superior. A wide range of rock types and deposits are found in the Great Lakes because of their broad area and glacial origin.
When did Lake Erie reach its present level?
It is generally accepted that Lake Erie reached its present level about 10,000 years ago, Lake Ontario about 7,000 years ago, and Lakes Huron, Michigan, and Superior some 3,000 years ago. Get a Britannica Premium subscription ...
What is the name of the lake that flows into Lake Superior?
1,640. 11th. The Great Lakes form the western portion of the larger St. Lawrence hydrographic system. This system extends generally eastward from the St. Louis River in Minnesota (which flows into Lake Superior), through the lakes and the St. Lawrence River, and empties into the Atlantic Ocean at the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
What are the Great Lakes?
Great Lakes, chain of deep freshwater lakes in east-central North America comprising Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. They are one of the great natural features of the continent and of the Earth. Although Lake Baikal in Russia has a larger volume of water, the combined area of the Great Lakes—some 94,250 square miles ...
What is the orange striped polygon on the US side?
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). The boundaries on these two maps are defined by 8-digit Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUC8).
What is the largest freshwater ecosystem in the world?
The Great Lakes are one of the world’s largest surface freshwater ecosystems. 84% of North America's surface fresh water. about 21% of the world's supply of surface fresh water. Physical Features of the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Atlas Third Edition 1995 is available from NSCEP, US EPA's publication service.
What are the two nations that make up the Great Lakes Basin?
The Great Lakes Basin. The Great Lakes basin encompasses large parts of two nations, the United States and Canada. Nearly 25% of Canadian agricultural production and 7% of American farm production.
What are the Great Lakes?
The Great Lakes are, from west to east: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. They are a dominant part of the physical and cultural heritage of North America.
Is Rideau part of the Great Lakes?
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 Clean Water Act defines the orange striped polygon on the US side as part of the Great Lakes basin ...
How are the Great Lakes connected?
The Great Lakes are interconnected by straits, canals, locks, and rivers. Large ships can transport cargo through the Great Lakes and into the Atlantic Ocean by way of the Saint Lawrence Seaway.
What is the largest lake in the world?
Lake Superior is the world's largest freshwater lake - it has a surface area of 32,700 square miles (82,100 square kilometers). [1] The Great Lakes contain about 21% of the world's fresh surface water and about 84% of the United States' fresh surface water - about 5,439 cubic miles (22,684 cubic kilometers) measured at low water level.
How deep is Lake Erie?
Much of Lake Erie is less than 50 feet deep, while large areas in Lake Superior are hundreds of feet deep. The map was prepared by the National Geophysical Data Center in 1999. The Great Lakes Are Warming and set numerous surface water temperature records during the summer of 2020.
What are the names of the Great Lakes?
The names of the five Great Lakes are Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior. To easily remember their names, think of the word HOMES - it is made up of the first letter of each lake. Winter Satellite Image of the Great Lakes Region showing the lakes with significant ice cover.
Which states have shorelines on the lakes?
The Canadian province of Ontario and eight U.S. states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin) have shorelines on the lakes. All of the lakes except Erie are deep enough that their bottoms are below sea level.
Do the Great Lakes have ice?
The Great Lakes are far enough north that the lakes' surfaces often have partial ice cover. Occasionally the ice cover is be extensive enough or thick enough to interfere with commercial shipping. This image was capture on February 21, 2014 by NASA's Aqua satellite.
What is the largest freshwater lake in the world?
This lake is also home to the world’s largest freshwater lake island, Manitoulin Island. Manitoulin island has several of its own lakes and unbelievably they even have smaller lakes on those islands. Making it a lake on a lake on a lake which is an almost unheard of phenomenon.
Why is Lake Huron so deep?
Lake Huron has massive sinkholes deep underwater that have their own unique ecosystems. This is due to high amounts of Sulphur and low amounts of oxygen. While Lake Huron is second largest of the Great Lakes it only takes around 22 years for the water to replace itself.
How many Great Lakes are there in Ontario?
Being in Ontario, a main feature that is noticeable, is the vast size of their five Great Lakes. I have been lucky enough to see all of them in a short period of time and they have all astounded me. Being based within a 5 minute walk from the 4th largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie is a treat for me coming from Lake Taupo. The five lakes together account for one-fifth of the freshwater surface on the planet at 6 quadrillion gallons. The lakes are relatively young compared to the earth at only 10,000 years old.
What is the shallowest lake in the world?
Lake Erie. The fourth Great Lake in size, is also the shallowest of all the lakes, which is Lake Erie. With a story similar to that of Scotland’s Loch Ness monster, there has been alleged sightings of a 30 foot long monster named Bessie living in the lake.
How much does a sturgeon weigh?
There is a wide range of species living in and around the Great Lakes. The biggest fish species being the lake Sturgeon which can weigh over 200 pounds. Commercial fishing is a massive industry in the Great Lakes with around 50 million pounds harvested per year.
How many trout are there in Lake Superior?
There is an estimated 100 million trout in Lake Superior. While the total number of fish species is believed to be 88. The Lake is so large that it takes two centuries for all the water to replace itself through it’s small outlets.
Which lake is the farthest west?
Lake Superior is the farthest west and Lake Ontario being the farthest east. Shipping still dominates on the Great Lakes with the Canadian and U.S. lake fleets hauling upwards of 125 million tons of cargo a year. However it used to be of great risk with over 6,000 ships sunk and a loss of nearly 30,000 lives.
What is the largest lake in the world?
Lake Superior covers an area of 31,700 square miles and is the largest of the Great Lakes. The lakes extend to Ontario in Canada as well as the US states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is the world’s second largest lake after the Caspian Sea and the world’s largest freshwater lake by area. It is also North America’s largest lake. The lake lies at the North West end of the Great Lakes chain. Lake Superior empties into Lake Huron through the St. Marys River and the Soo Locks system. Lake Superior covers an area of 31,700 square miles which is nearly the size of Austria or the State of South Carolina. Its maximum length is 350 statute miles while its maximum width is 160 statute miles. It has an average depth of 483 feet and is 1,333 feet at its deepest point. The lake holds 2,900 cubic miles of water. It is an essential route for transporting grains, iron ore, and manufactured materials. Lake freighters and ocean-going freighters transport these products through St. Marys River into Lake Huron. Between January and March, the lake is deserted because of the cold temperature that freezes the surface of the water rendering it unsuitable for transportation.
What is the largest lake in North America?
It is also North America’s largest lake. The lake lies at the North West end of the Great Lakes chain. Lake Superior empties into Lake Huron through the St. Marys River and the Soo Locks system. Lake Superior covers an area of 31,700 square miles which is nearly the size of Austria or the State of South Carolina.
How big is Lake Erie?
Lake Erie - 9,910 square miles. Lake Erie ranks fourth in of the great lakes in size. It is the smallest lake by volume. The lake is the southmost of the five lakes. The lake is also the shallowest of the five lakes with an average depth of 62 feet and a maximum depth of 210 feet.
What is the name of the lake that connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean?
Niagara River is its primary inlet. The lake is the outlet of the Great Lakes chains and connects to the Atlantic Ocean through Saint Lawrence River. The lake covers an area of 7,340 square miles and holds 393 cubic miles. It has the lowest elevation of the Great Lakes at 243 feet above the sea level.
What are the five lakes in the Great Lakes?
The Great Lakes is a series of five interconnected freshwater lakes located in North America. The lakes span across Canada and the United States. The five lakes, Lake Huron, Superior, Michigan, Erie, ...
Why is Lake Huron deserted?
Between January and March, the lake is deserted because of the cold temperature that freezes the surface of the water rendering it unsuitable for transportation. 4. Lake Huron - 23,007 square miles. Lake Huron is the second largest of the Great Lakes.
How deep is Lake Huron?
The lake is 307 miles long and 118 miles wide. It has an average depth of 279 feet and is 923 feet at its deepest point.
