Lake Huron

Lake Huron
NASA · Public domain · source
Lake name	Lake Huron
Location	North America, United States, Canada
Coords	44.8°N 82.4°W
Type	Great Lakes
Inflow	St. Marys River, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Ottawa River
Outflow	St. Clair River, Detroit River, Lake Erie
Catchment	59,596 sq mi
Basin countries	United States, Canada
Max length	206 mi
Max width	152 mi
Surface area	23,000 sq mi
Average depth	195 ft
Max depth	750 ft
Water volume	1,350 cu mi
Residence time	22 years
Shore length	3,825 mi
Elevation	581 ft
Islands	Mackinac Island, Manitoulin Island
Settlement	Bay City, Michigan, Saginaw, Michigan, Godfrey, Ontario

Lake Huron is the second-largest of the Great Lakes by surface area, located on the United States-Canada border, and is connected to Lake Michigan through the Mackinac Strait. The lake is bounded by the Canadian Shield to the north and the Michigan Basin to the south, and its shoreline stretches across the Ontario and Michigan borders. The lake's name is derived from the Wyandot people, an Iroquoian-speaking tribe that inhabited the region, and was also known to French colonizers such as Jacques Marquette and Étienne Brûlé. The lake is also home to several notable islands, including Mackinac Island and Manitoulin Island, which are popular tourist destinations.

Geography

The lake's geography is characterized by a complex system of bays, inlets, and peninsulas, including the Bruce Peninsula and the Leelanau Peninsula. The lake's shoreline is also dotted with numerous lighthouses, such as the Mackinac Island Lighthouse and the Spectacle Reef Light, which were built to aid navigation and prevent shipwrecks like the SS Central America and the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. The lake's floor is also home to several notable features, including the Bruce Canyon and the Beaver Basin, which are popular destinations for scuba diving and fishing. The lake is also surrounded by several notable cities, including Bay City, Michigan, Saginaw, Michigan, and Godfrey, Ontario, which are connected by the Blue Water Bridge and the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge.

Hydrology

The lake's hydrology is characterized by a complex system of inflows and outflows, including the St. Marys River, which connects the lake to Lake Superior, and the St. Clair River, which connects the lake to Lake Erie. The lake's water level is also regulated by the Great Lakes Waterway, which includes the Sojourner Truth and the USCGC Mackinaw (WAGB-83). The lake's water chemistry is also influenced by several notable rivers, including the Saginaw River and the Au Sable River, which are home to several notable dams, such as the Edenville Dam and the Mio Dam. The lake's water quality is also monitored by several organizations, including the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Environment and Climate Change Canada, which work to prevent pollution and protect the lake's ecosystem.

History

The lake has a rich and diverse history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the Paleoindian period, around 10,000 years ago. The lake was also an important destination for French colonizers, who established several notable missions and trading posts in the region, including the Mission of St. Ignace and the Fort Michilimackinac. The lake was also a key location during the War of 1812, with several notable battles taking place on its shores, including the Battle of Mackinac Island and the Battle of Lake Erie. The lake is also home to several notable shipwrecks, including the SS Central America and the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which are popular destinations for scuba diving and treasure hunting.

Ecology

The lake's ecology is characterized by a diverse range of plant and animal species, including several notable fish species, such as the lake trout and the walleye. The lake is also home to several notable birds, including the common loon and the piping plover, which are protected by several organizations, including the Audubon Society and the Wildlife Conservation Society. The lake's ecosystem is also influenced by several notable invasive species, including the zebra mussel and the sea lamprey, which are controlled by several organizations, including the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The lake is also an important destination for ecotourism, with several notable parks and reserves in the region, including the Bruce Peninsula National Park and the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Economy

The lake's economy is characterized by a diverse range of industries, including fishing, shipping, and tourism. The lake is an important destination for recreational boating and fishing, with several notable marinas and fishing charters in the region, including the Mackinac Island Marina and the Saginaw Bay Fishing Charters. The lake is also an important location for cargo shipping, with several notable ports in the region, including the Port of Bay City and the Port of Goderich. The lake's economy is also influenced by several notable events, including the Mackinac Island Festival of the Arts and the Bay City River Roar, which attract several thousand visitors to the region each year. The lake is also home to several notable companies, including the Dow Chemical Company and the General Motors, which have facilities in the region and work to protect the lake's ecosystem. Category:Lakes of North America