The Great Lakes The Great Lakes Nestlï¿½ controversy a fresh water wakeup call The Star (10/12) The ongoing water controversy between the community of Guelph, Ontario, and the Nestlï¿½ water bottling plant has thrown the issue of water access and availability into the spotlight. Benefits of eating mercury contaminated fish may outweigh risks Great Lakes Echo (10/12) A new study suggests eating Great Lakes fish that contain mercury may threaten your health, but the nutritional benefits may outweigh the risks. Lake Huronï¿½s water levels post 6 cm gain over last year Manitoulin Expositor (10/12) Partially due to Lake Superior having a very wet summer, Lake Huron and Michigan water levels are at high levels not seen in 20 years. Buffalo-Niagara Green Infrastructure Forum takes on sewer overflow issue WBFO ï¿½ Buffalo, NY (10/11) The problem of storm water overflows has been a sore spot for many communities across the Great Lakes. The issue was on the table during a panel discussion about Green Infrastructure in the Buffalo-Niagara Region.

Inaugural Fresh Coast Film Festival in Marquette WNMU ï¿½ Marquette, MI (10/11) The Fresh Coast Film Festival will be held Thursday through Sunday in downtown Marquette, Michigan. The films will focus on the outdoors and adventure across the Great Lakes region. Environmental convention focuses on future of Great Lakes WRVO ï¿½ Oswego, NY (10/10) Split pea soup ï¿½ thatï¿½s how some folks describe the Great Lakes back when it was plagued by contamination, pollution and algae. A lot has changed since then, but many of the old problems are still around. Search GLIN for more news items about Overview The Great Lakes -- Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario -- and their connecting channels form the largest fresh surface water system on earth. If you stood on the moon, you could see the lakes and recognize the familiar wolf head shape of Lake Superior, or the mitten bounded by lakes Michigan, Huron and Erie.

Covering more than 94,000 square miles and draining more than twice as much land, these Freshwater Seas hold an estimated 6 quadrillion gallons of water, about one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water supply and nine-tenths of the U.S. supply. Spread evenly across the contiguous 48 states, the lakes' water would be about 9.5 feet deep. The channels that connect the Great Lakes are an important part of the system. The St. Marys River is the northernmost of these, a 60-mile waterway flowing from Lake Superior down to Lake Huron. At the St. Marys rapids, the Soo Locks bypass the rough waters, providing safe transport for ships. The St. Clair and Detroit rivers, and Lake St. Clair between them, form an 89-mile long channel connecting Lake Huron with Lake Erie. The 35-mile Niagara River links lakes Erie and Ontario, and sends approximately 50,000 to 100,000 cubic feet of water per second over Niagara Falls; the manmade Welland Canal also links the two lakes, providing a detour around the falls.

From Lake Ontario, the water from the Great Lakes flows through the St. Lawrence River all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,000 miles away. This system greatly affects our way of life, as well as all aspects of the natural environment, from weather and climate, to wildlife and habitat. Yet for all their size and power, the Great Lakes are fragile. In the past, this fragile nature wasn't recognized, and the lakes were mistreated for economic gain, placing the ecosystem under tremendous stress from our activities. Today, we understand that our health and our children's inheritance depend on our collective efforts to wisely manage our complex ecosystem. NOAA, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) A map using NOAA satellite data to show recent water temperatures of the Great Lakes. Office of the Great Lakes Activity Report State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality The Office of the Great Lakes produces a monthly electronic Activity Report highlighting events, activities, and updates on the status of programs and issues affecting environmental protection, natural resource management, transportation, and recreation on the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes Program University at Buffalo The mission of the Great Lakes Program (GLP) is to coordinate the development, evaluation and synthesis of scientific and technical knowledge on the Great Lakes Ecosystem in support of public education and policy formation. Final Report on the Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes International Joint Commission This report provides a blueprint for protecting the waters of the Great Lakes Basin from the potential impacts of water removals and consumptive uses. Great Lakes GIS Great Lakes Fishery Commission The Great Lakes GIS Project proposes to provide comprehensive GIS projects for each Great Lake and the entire Great Lakes basin and provide recommendations for long-term distribution and maintenance of GIS-based data. Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research University of Windsor The Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER) is a consortium of researchers at the University of Windsor . Established in 1981, the institute's research is directed toward the understanding, restoration, rehabilitation and protection of strategic ecological systems in the Great Lakes region. Great Lakes Science Center U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) The U.S. Geological Survey's Great Lakes Science Center was founded in 1927 and continues to provide scientific information for the sound management of Great Lakes fish populations and other important natural resources in the basin.

Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Study The Canadian and U.S. governments are conducting a joint study to evaluate the infrastructure needs of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway system, specifically the engineering, economic and environmental implications of those needs as they pertain to the marine transportation infrastructure on which commercial navigation depends. Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Research Inventory International Joint Commission An Internet-based, searchable database created as a tool to collect and disseminate information on research programs relevant to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. National Water Research Institute (NWRI) Environment Canada / Environnement Canada NWRI, Canada's largest freshwater research establishment, conducts a comprehensive program of research and development in the aquatic sciences, in partnership with the Canadian and international science communities. NWRI research provides a sound basis for actions to sustain our natural resources and freshwater ecosystems. NOAA Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory The NOAA Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health (CEGLHH) is a multi-disciplinary research center which will focus on understanding the inter-relationships between the Great Lakes ecosystem, water quality and human health. International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) New resources to promote Great Lakes research.

Tenth Biennial Report of Great Lakes Water Quality International Joint Commission Released in July 2000, this report discusses the current threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem, such as contaminated sportsfish, air toxics, and urbanization, and concludes with actions that the U.S. and Canadian governments must take in order to comply with the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978. The Biosphï¿½re Environment Canada Opened in 1995 as the only museum of water in America dedicated to the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes, the Biosphï¿½re heightens public awareness of water's importance and the necessity to protect it. The Great Lakes Geographer University of Western Ontario, Geography Department Since 1967, this peer-reviewed journal has acted as a forum for publishing research about the science and biology of the Great Lakes and related social and economic issues. View the current issue online ! The Large Lakes Observatory University of Minnesota - Duluth Located on the Duluth Campus of the university of Minnesota, the Large Lakes Observatory (LLO) is the only institute in the country dedicated to the study of large lakes world wide.

The LLO focuses on the global implications of investigation in the areas of aquatic chemistry, circulation dynamics, geochemistry, acoustic remote sensing, plankton dynamics, sedimentology and paleoclimatology. Between which latitudes north does the southern border between Canada and the United States of America run? Between which latitudes north does the southern border between Canada and the United States of America run? +1 vote posted Aug 4, 2016 by Nikita Sehgal Looking for an answer? Promote on: Your comment on this question: Email me at this address if a comment is added after mine:Email me if a comment is added after mine Privacy: Your email address will only be used for sending these notifications. Anti-spam verification: To avoid this verification in future, please log in or register . Your answer Thanks for contributing at QueryHome GK Please be sure to answer the question, share your working and research. If you are not sure about answer, use commenting option instead. Use ctrl+k to highlight, ctrl+b to make the text as bold. Preview Email me at this address if my answer is selected or commented on:Email me if my answer is selected or commented on Privacy: Your email address will only be used for sending these notifications.

Anti-spam verification: How They Were Made How They Were Made Thousands of years ago, the melting mile-thick glaciers of the Wisconsin Ice Age left the North American continent a magnificent gift: five fantastic freshwater seas collectively known today as the Great Lakes -- Lake Superior , Lake Huron , Lake Michigan , Lake Erie and Lake Ontario . From the westernmost tip of Lake Superior at Duluth, Minn., to the easternmost tip of Lake Ontario at Watertown, N.Y., lakes stretch a thousand miles across the heartland of both the U.S. and Canada, creating nearly 9,500 miles of ocean-like shores. The lakes also contain an estimated 35,000 islands. Officially dubbed "the nation's fourth seacoast," the U.S. Great Lakes shoreline alone totals more than 4,500 miles -- longer than the U.S. East and Gulf coasts combined. As seen from space , the Great Lakes constitute one of the most identifiable features of the North American continent as well as our planet Earth. The North American Great Lakes are unique among the world's large lakes in that their basins are linked together and form one continuous drainage basin.

Together, they constitute the greatest freshwater system on Earth, covering an area larger than Texas and about half the size of Alaska. Starting in Lake Superior, the water flows out the lake's southeastern tip down the St. Marys River into Lakes Michigan and Huron, which actually are two halves of one lake. From there, the water flows southward from the southern tip of Lake Huron down the St. Clair River through "little" Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River to Lake Erie. Leaving Lake Erie, it flows north via the Niagara River and over Niagara Falls into Lake Ontario. It then flows northeast down the St. Lawrence River -- the last link in a 2,000-mile-long waterway that ultimately connects Minnesota to the Atlantic Ocean. However, this stair-step arrangement of basins is relatively new and resulted from the slow rise of the land as it rebounded from the depressing weight of the mile-thick ice sheets. Lake Erie and southern Lake Michigan (Lake Chicago) were first unveiled by glaciers about 10,000 years ago. Both originally drained to the southwest, out the Maumee-Wabash-Ohio and Des Plaines-Illinois rivers, respectively, to the Mississippi River.

About 9,000 years ago, the early stage of Lake Superior, called Lake Duluth, drained southwest out the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers, along what is today the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. About 7,000 years ago, as the last ice left, the land to the southwest of Lakes Erie and Michigan had risen high enough that the lakes no longer drained in that direction. Lake Ontario came into being, and the Niagara River became Lake Erie's outlet. As the ice sheet retreated into Canada, it temporarily made Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron into one huge body of water called Lake Nipissing, which had the unusual quality of having three outlets -- via the Ottawa-St. Lawrence rivers, Detroit-St. Clair rivers and Illinois-Mississippi rivers. Lake Huron continued to drain eastward out the Ottawa-St. Lawrence rivers until about 5,000-6,000 years ago. Lake Michigan continued to drain out the Illinois River where Chicago now stands until about only 3,000 years ago, when the Great Lakes finally assumed their present shapes.

The Great Lakes today hold an estimated six quadrillion gallons of water -- a fifth, or 20 percent, of all the drinkable water on the surface of Earth. If all the water in the Great Lakes were spread evenly over the continental U.S., the 48 states would be flooded under more than nine feet of water. The surfaces of the lakes total more than 94,000 square miles -- covering an area about the size of the entire state of Oregon. The awesome sizes of the Great Lakes amaze just about everyone seeing them for the first time. These lakes not only look like oceans, they often seem to behave like oceans. They have coastal currents -- including dangerous rip currents -- and occasional large tide-like changes in coastal water levels called seiches (pronounced "say-shez") caused by prolonged strong winds and passing storms, as well as storm surges and edge waves. Like the oceans, the lakes also moderate the temperature of the air and increase the amount of rain or snow that falls on the lands surrounding them. Some of the world's largest grain shipping ports are located on the Great Lakes, and oceangoing ships as well as 1,000-foot lake vessels ply their waters.

Sailors who have weathered storms on the Great Lakes give these inland seas the same healthy respect they give the other Seven Seas -- perhaps an extra measure of respect when the icy "Gales of November" blow early, because the freshwater of the lakes freezes more quickly than ocean saltwater, and a heavy coat of ice can easily capsize and sink a ship. The lakes' water is usually cold to begin with, because the Great Lakes lie across the 45th Parallel -- halfway to the North Pole from the Equator and just 1,200 miles from the Arctic Circle, less than the distance between New York City and Miami. Coupled with the vast forest, agricultural and mineral resources of the area, the abundant supply of water and cheap transportation afforded by the Great Lakes were major factors in the region becoming the population and industrial core of both the U.S. and Canada. About 50 million U.S. and Canadian citizens live and work in the Great Lakes region today, and around half of them depend directly on the lakes for drinking water.

The United States' third largest city, Chicago, is located on the shores of Lake Michigan, and the Great Lakes coastal cities of Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland, and Buffalo, N.Y., have populations of more than a million people each. Ontario, the only Canadian province bordering the lakes, contains a third of Canada's population, while nearly 15 percent of the U.S. population lives in the region. Five of the 10 largest U.S. states by population are Great Lakes states (#3-New York, #5-Illinois, #6-Pennsylvania, #7-Ohio and #8-Michigan). The iron ranges around Lake Superior have been the principal source of ore for North America for more than a century, and the economy of shipping large quantities of ore on the Great Lakes -- plus the abundant supply of high quality water for processing it -- have made the region a center of iron and steel production. Until recently, the shores and hinterlands of Lakes Ontario, Erie and Michigan held the world's largest concentration of iron and steel mills. Even today, about half of the steel made in the U.S. and and nearly two-thirds of Canada's steel is produced in the Great Lakes region.

The region's other major industries include automobile manufacturing, heavy machinery, paper mills, metalworking and shipbuilding. In addition, some 163 million tons of grain, iron ore and other commodities are shipped across the Great Lakes each year, and the sport and commercial fisheries of the Great Lakes currently contribute more than a billion dollars a year to the region's economy. Along with the Upper Midwest's multitude of lakes and forests, the Great Lakes help support a substantial regional tourism industry. In fact, a 2011 analysis by the University of Michigan concludes that the Great Lakes generates $62 billion in wages each year and that more than 1.5 million jobs are directly connected to the waterways. Together, the U.S. and Canada share responsibility for protecting and caring for one of the most valuable natural treasures in the world -- five magnificent gifts of the glaciers. Copyright 2013 University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute, 1975 Willow Dr., Madison, WI 53706-1177 Phone: (608) 262-0905 If you have trouble accessing this page or wish to request a reasonable accommodation because of a disability contact us .

Funding provided by the National Sea Grant College Program, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and the State of Wisconsin. RESOURCES FOR... Canadian Lakes - Lakes in Canada Canadian Lakes Vancouver Aquarium Share Canadian lakes are part of the abundance of natural resources that make Canada a true outdoor wonderland. In between the Atlantic and the Pacific ocean, the Hudson Bay and the U.S. border, nearly 9 percent of the country’s landmass is made up of freshwater lakes, a rather significant number when you consider that Canada is the second largest country on earth. Canada is home to four of the five Great Lakes along with one of tourism’s true treasures, Lake Louise in the Rockies. Many cities are nestled along the shores of lakes in Canada, including Thunder Bay ( Lake Superior ), Yellowknife (Great Slave Lake), and Toronto ( Lake Ontario ). Each province and territory boasts lakes where people come to have fun and admire the scenery. No matter where you choose to roam, chances are good you’ll be near one of Canada’s lakes. Lake Louise Lake Louise It’s a scene that’s appeared on countless screen savers and desktops—a lake as blue as the sky with mountains in the distance.

This scene does exist in real life and is one of the favorite places to visit in the Canadian Rockies . Lake Louise, formed when a glacier slid through thousands of years ago, is nestled in Banff National Park , in the Alberta town also called Lake Louise. The town was named for a daughter of Queen Victoria , the lake is the starting point for many adventures. A deep network of hiking trails takes you to Mount Niblock. Mirror Lake, and some other scenic places. In the summertime, visitors enjoy kayaking and canoe rides, along with boat rentals. One of the most elegant hotels in western Canada is located along the shores of the lake: the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. In the early 20th century, the Canadian Pacific Railway built luxury hotels along the Canadian lakes and other scenic places. They remain at the top of the list for discerning travelers and continue to offer welcoming service. Great Lakes – Huron, Erie, Superior, Ontario Great Lakes – Huron, Erie, Superior, Ontario The chain of Great Lakes, shared between the U.S. and Canada, hold more than 20 percent of the world’s freshwater, and they are extremely important to trade, transportation, and tourism.

Four of the five inland lakes are found within Canada—only Lake Michigan is solely within the United States. From Lake Superior in the west to Lake Ontario in the east, these Canada lakes offer a world of possibilities for vacations in any season. During the summer, the list of opportunities is as long as your imagination— cruises , swimming, fishing , chilling out at the cabin, or whatever you want—on and off the lake. When the snow starts falling, a whole new group of activities opens up to enjoy along the Great Lakes. Great Bear Lake Great Bear Lake Up in the Northwest Territories , the Great Bear Lake is the biggest of the lakes in Canada, discounting the Great Lakes that are also located in the United States. The seventh largest lake in the world is located north of the Arctic Circle, which means plenty of ice and winter scenery. The small town of Deline is located on the southwest corner of the lake, and mining operations take place on the eastern shore. During the warmer months of the year, Great Bear Lake offers fantastic fishing opportunities, and many adventure outfitters lead excursions to this northern outdoor paradise and the fishing lodges along the shores of this northern lake.

Lake Winnipeg Lake Winnipeg This lake in Manitoba shares a name with the province’s largest city, but it’s actually located about a half hour to the north of the city. One of the largest freshwater lakes in Canada is long and narrow, lined by deep forests along its border. On the southern edge of the lake, you’ll find sandy beaches and recreational areas that are excellent for sea kayaking, hiking, and even golfing . Lake Winnipeg is also one of Canada’s richest fishing lakes. Both commercial and leisure fishermen find large hauls of goldeneye and whitefish. Rarely seen emerald-green walleye are abundant in Lake Winnipeg, especially in the spring and fall. Canadian Lakes Boating and the US/Canada Border | The Great Lakes Cruising Club The Great Lakes Cruising Club Skip to Navigation ↓ WELCOME Welcome to the website of the Great Lakes Cruising Club. Look around and you will find harbor reports for 1,100 ports and anchorages throughout the Great Lakes, discussions of Great Lakes issues, places to post boat and cruising photos, and more. Note that major portions of the web site are limited to members of the GLCC.

If you are not a member, consider joining us- just click on "Join the GLCC" in the menu bar above and you will be on your way to our exclusive membership benefits. Boating and the US/Canada Border BSomers - September 16, 2016 for Boats in the U.S. & Canada U.S. Customs and Border Protection Canada Border Services Agency This document has not been reviewed by US CBP OR CanBSA. It represents a summary of a presentation made by representatives of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (US CBP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CanBSA) at the Windsor Yacht Club on Wednesday, March 20, 2013. It was titled Boating and the Border. The representatives from the US CBP were from the Detroit Sector. The CanBSA representatives came from Windsor. You must be prepared to encounter different interpretations of the regulations on a regional basis. Also realize the answers given by these officers reflect their beliefs concerning the rules they are charged to enforce and our interpretation of their statements. We should all be prepared to encounter an authority whose beliefs may not completely jibe with these.

Recently it appeared that CanBSA had escalated the reporting requirements for private boats operating in the vicinity of the Canada US border. However, in a conversation with a CanBSA representative, I was informed that the body of the current Canadian Regulations have actually been on the books for several years. Recent modifications have been made, such as the ability to use a cell phone to report in, making it more reasonable to expect compliance with these regulations. The current effort at educating the boating public is an attempt to “promote compliance”. Be aware Customs considers all water vehicles to be governed by these regulations. This includes vessels such as Sea Dos, Kayaks and fishing boats. Source information is available at these government web sites. US Customs and Border Protection: US CBP web page specifying Pleasure Boat Reporting requirements. Canadian Border Services Agency: CanBSA Reporting Requirements for Private Boaters: CanBSA Disagreements, reviews and appeals: The Shiprider program is at: US Customs and Border Protection- US CBP Canadian Border Services Agency – CanBSA Telephone Reporting Center-TRC Reporting Requirements in the UNITED STATES 1. Overview The reporting requirements for landing a vessel in the United States have not changed (as of April 2013).

The key to facilitating a “hassle free” entry into the United States is having appropriate documentation. The preferred documentation for landing a vessel in the United States is a Nexus card or an I-68 form. These documents allow for remote clearing of the vessel and all passengers. Remote clearing can only take place if ALL passengers on the vessel have this documentation. Nexus provides the opportunity to report in by phoning in up to four hours ahead of landing. The I-68 also provides the opportunity to report in advance by phoning in up to one hour before landing. Precise information as to the place of landing and the time of landing must be given if an advance report is made. To further facilitate expedient clearing, a BR number (Boater’s Registration Number) is encouraged for each person who regularly and routinely crosses the border by boat. The BR number allows all information embedded in the Nexus registration to be available to the US CBP Officer and eliminates the need to repeat and record all such information on the phone in report. A couple of simple key questions may be asked to confirm identity. In the absence of these documents, a Passport is required.

However, utilization of a Passport creates an absolute requirement that the individual (and therefore the vessel and all other passengers) be inspected face to face. This could cause significant delay in clearing because the dispatching of officers is subject to their availability. As well, you could be directed to report in person rather than having officers dispatched to the vessel. If you are directed to report, you must do so over land as you have already “landed”. The cost of doing so (cab fare etc.) could be prohibitive. Note: Officers may exercise discretion based on all circumstances and take a phone check in. One of those circumstances is the availability of staff to dispatch to the landing point. It would be recommended to establish this in advance. Certain jurisdictions may have video telephones to facilitate reporting but this should not be counted upon. As such, all persons on a vessel landing in the United States are encouraged to have an I-68 or Nexus. All vessels over 30 feet must also have a USER FEE DECAL. They are good for one year and can be ordered. # 2. Reporting Requirements in U.S.

You must report to US CBP if you: Have arrived or returned from a “foreign location” (meaning that, as a foreigner, you have landed your vessel at a U.S. port and/or have contacted U.S. soil, or as a U.S. resident, you have returned from landing on foreign soil). Had contact with a foreign vessel or any vessel returning from a foreign location; or Received merchandise outside U.S. territorial waters (which generally and inherently requires that one of the two foregoing parameters have been met). For Canadian boaters, just because you have crossed into U.S. waters and may be obliged to report to CanBSA on your return to Canadian waters, this does not create a reporting requirement to the US CBP when you cross into U.S. waters. (Assuming you do not otherwise fulfill any US requirement to report to US CBP.) For US boaters if you cross into Canadian waters and are required to contact CanBSA there is no requirement to report to US CBP upon returning to US waters unless you fulfill one of the US requirements for reporting to US CBP. For your assistance, a schedule of U.S. reporting phone numbers for Michigan are listed at the end. 3.

US Penalties Often times for a first offence, a warning will be given. However, given the gravity of the situation, an initial contravention could result in a fine which, if levied, now carries a minimum of $5,000.00. Additionally you could be stripped of your Nexus or I-68 privileges. Second offences carry a $10,000.00 minimum fine, and at that time the vessel is subject to seizure. Incarceration is also possible. 4. Canadian Extended Visits to U.S. via Vessel Canadians who have crossed into the United States by a vessel are required to re-report into US CBP every 72 hours if they have not left the country. Note: This was stated by officers from the Detroit sector during the Windsor seminar (Mar 2013). Phone conversations with two different Field officers from the Detroit area confirmed this requirement. Outside the Detroit area I would recommend calling in every 72 hours unless you have checked before and this is not required in the area you are visiting, or, on the initial report, have been advised that this procedure need not be followed. The key again is having appropriate documentation to facilitate a hassle free report.

Again the Nexus is the preferred document and offers remote clearing. Passports and other Canadian identity documents (such as an Enhanced Drivers License) will require a face to face inspection. This can cause substantial delay and further you can be directed to report at a specific port. 2. Reporting Requirements Canada requires a report to be made any time a vessel enters into Canadian waters from foreign waters. The Canadian reporting system is a centralized system (the “TRC” administered out of Hamilton, Ontario) and the phone number for reporting is 1-888-226-7277 (1-888-CAN-PASS). Or 905-679-2073 (long distance charges may apply). For Canadians Canadians who cross the international border and then return are required to report. If you are returning from having landed in the US you are required to report by phone from a designated marine reporting site. If you had not landed in the US, and everyone on board was Canadian citizens and permanent residents, you should have the option of calling from your cell phone at the point where you entered Canadian waters.

Boats that are travelling along the international border and may cross and return multiple times on that voyage need only report once, on their initial entry into Canadian waters, in that particular journey. The “in-transit exception” – discussed below, does not apply to Canadian vessels in any manner. For Americans Any U.S. boat entering Canadian waters has a duty to report with the exception that “boats in transit” do not have to report. If you intend to land you are required to report to a CanBSA designated marine reporting site and call the TRC from the phone provided to obtain clearance. The “boats in transit” exception only applies if a U.S. vessel is traveling from point to point in the U.S. and its starting point and its destination point are different. The trip must be continuous, un-interrupted and without delays or stopovers. If a U.S. boat leaves a US port, crosses into Canadian waters and intends to immediately return to its U.S. port of origin, the “in transit” exception does not apply and the boat has a requirement to report.

In all cases, this “deemed landing” by crossing the international border on the water (unless the “in transit” exception applies), means that all persons on the vessel are subject to the usual border crossing and landing requirements. This includes laws governing the reporting of goods purchased or acquired outside of the country (including alcohol and tobacco), the carrying of firearms (which is generally prohibited in Canada) and the carrying of cash or negotiable securities in a value of $10,000.00 or more. Private boaters that are strictly weaving in and out of Canadian waters but are not in transit, are required to call the TRC only once at the time of their initial entry into Canadian waters. Your report can be made by cell phone. If you are without a cell phone you must proceed to a CanBSA designated marine telephone reporting site and place a call to the TRC to obtain clearance. If this activity changes, i.e., the vessel docks in Canada or takes on new persons or goods while in foreign waters, the boaters must report to a CanBSA designated marine reporting site and call the TRC to obtain clearance. 3. Canadian Penalties The first offense carries a $1,000.00 minimum fine.

Second and subsequent offenses will trigger escalations in fines and depending on the nature of the contravention could result in seizure of the boat or incarceration or both. 4. Practical Considerations regarding changes to Canadian Reporting Requirements Attendees at the meeting expressed great concern that these policy changes would: Complicate general recreational activities such as regular sailboat racing (for example from the Windsor Yacht Club every Wednesday night). The nature of sailboats which tack and jibe is such that it is unlikely that they could ever depart a border facility (like the Windsor Yacht Club) without crossing the international boarder and creating a reporting requirement. CBSA officers indicated that “pre-clearances” could be obtained provided that the vessel and all passengers were properly reported and all passengers carried the proper documentation. The whole season of racing could be reported and cleared in advance, subject to the caveat that each and every boat registered participated, and the crew on each and every boat remained unchanged throughout the racing season without creating a new reporting requirement (an impractical exception). The Canadian Government has spent a great deal of time, energy and money promoting tourism through transient boating which would likely be thoroughly discouraged by this new reporting requirement.

Many of the attendees at the meeting have American boating friends who have expressed great concern about these reporting requirements and have indicated that they will necessarily have to significantly reduce or suspend their boating experience in Canada. The only thing that was offered in response by the attending officers was the “in transit exception”. Policing and the Border Seminar - Windsor Yacht Club March 27, 2013 Canadian law enforcement officials showed up to explain their involvement and their mandate. This included the Windsor Police (local), the Ontario Provincial Police (Provincial) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP – Federal). The RCMP is embarking on the “Shiprider program” in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard which will involve officials from both countries crewing on the vessels of both countries. This is designed to facilitate cross border pursuit in the event of policing and enforcement issues. The Senior Canadian Officer would be in charge when the vessel is in Canadian waters (regardless of the flag of the vessel) and the Senior U.S. Officer would be in charge if the vessel is in U.S. waters (regardless of the flag of the vessel).

Their primary focus is security of country, terrorism, human smuggling, unlawful possession and trafficking in drugs and firearms and general safety on the water. The Windsor Police and the OPP both expressed the primacy of their mandate as being safety on the waters. As such, the rather blunt suggestion was that the primary mandate of the Canadian police forces policing the Canadian waters did not involve enforcing reporting requirements. The suggestion was that these requirements would only be enforced in companion with other more serious safety violations or criminal violations observed by Canadian law enforcement officers on the water. Simply put, the representatives of all these police forces indicate that they simply do not have the manpower to attempt to enforce the reporting requirements as primary charges. Nonetheless, they all urge compliance. Note that Canada Border Patrol currently has no dedicated vessels locally in the Windsor/Detroit area. One other point of interest, in the Detroit/Windsor area and possibly along other Canadian waterways, you may see new speed limit signs. They are in kilometers per hour. The correct speed in reduced speed zones is 5 Knots, however Canadian law requires posting in metric and requires speed on the water to be posted at the equivalent of speed over land. (5 knots works out to 9.3 kph).

The signs will not show the decimal, and you will start to see 9 kph posted in speed zones. kph = kilometers per hour Michigan Ports Reporting Procedures: 1. Be in possession of a pre-approved Form I-68 or NEXUS/SENTRI/FAST memeber card, and call one of the following numbers to report your arrival up to 4 hours in advance: Detroit Area: 1-313-393-3793 or 1-313-393-3949 Port Huron Area: 1-810-385-3541 ext. 235 Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula: 1-906-632-2631 --OR-- Fee study Permalink Submitted by JensenNR on Tue, 05/28/2013 - 04:11. I see in the news reports that the US Government wants to study a fee for crossing its northern border, and wonder if it eventually will trickle down to also be imposed every time a recreational boat gets processed. It is something to watch.

Permalink Submitted by BSomers on Thu, 05/23/2013 - 22:43. Additional comments have been added to the Reporting Requirements in Canada section to clarify requirements. The ultimate source is the website: Brad Somers Permalink Submitted by BSomers on Thu, 05/23/2013 - 17:05. Daniel Daniel When you called the Telephone Reporting Centre (TRC) were you returning from having landed in the US or had you just crossed the Border back into Canadian waters and had not landed in the US? If you are returning from having landed in the US you are required to report by phone from a designated marine reporting site. If you had not landed in the US, and everyone on board was Canadian citizens and permanent residents, you should have had the option of calling from your cell phone at the point where you entered Canadian waters. Brad Permalink Submitted by danielsharp on Tue, 05/21/2013 - 12:08. Brad We crossed the canadian border on Sat May 18, I called them on my cell as you suggested and and was told in no uncertain terms that this was unacceptable.

I was to immediately proceed to a proper point of entry and call on the pay phone provided. Daniel Sharp Port Captain Sault Ste. Marie, On Border crossing Canada/ U.S Permalink Submitted by kellett1 on Mon, 05/20/2013 - 20:38. My family visited Thunder Bay last August (2012). Upon arrival I went to the marina office and phoned Canadian Customs. I was asked the nature of our visit, how many were on board, how long we were going to be in Canada and whether we had any alcohol or firearms. The whole process took about 10 minutes and the Customs Agent was very polite. Weather extended our visit another day and I called again and that took about 3 minutes. Once back in US waters (Grand Marais, MN) we were boarded, passports and boat were inspected and told to go on line and purchase the decal. Very easy. Scott Kellett SVRS Permalink Submitted by Glider on Sun, 05/19/2013 - 21:38. I used this program last year and it worked fine.

Be sure to inform the CBP that your are reporting under the SVRS program as they will not find you just using NEXUS. The float plan requirement can be simplified by just filing a Canadian destination and an estimated US return date and port. SVRS Permalink Submitted by eemahoney on Sun, 05/19/2013 - 18:31. I filed for the SVRS, I will advise if it seems to change anything. I did this because I do some Florida Boating, and occasionally return from the Bahamas. SVRS is applicable to Florida, the I-68 is Canada to US only. I would expect that SVRS will not get much activity on the Great Lakes, the interview process is the same as the I-68, or the Global Entry Trusted Traveler Program. One Benefit is it is free if you have an I-68 or Global Entry. Permalink Submitted by BSomers on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 15:13. Niels To my knowledge there was no comment on it at the Seminars. I downloaded the enrollment form last year.

The information required seemed to be the same as we had already given out to get our Boating Registration number (BR number) a few years earlier so I didn't pursue it. You will see that the US CBP did refer to the BR number during the seminar. Brad Permalink Submitted by JensenNR on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 07:34. Hi Brad, Thank you so much for posting this information. It's very helpful. Was any mention made of the US' Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS)? All the best. World Map with Continents and Oceans Identified Black and White World Maps The Great Lakes This chain of 5 large freshwater lakes form the largest lake group in the world, covering an area of 95,000 sq miles. Once vital to fur trading and regional development in the early history of Canada and the United States, the Great Lakes (in modern times) remain today a significant transportation route for iron ore, steel, petroleum, grain, American automobiles, and more The Great Lakes have a total shoreline near 10,000 miles, over 350 species of fish, and provide drinking water for over 40 million people.

Lake Superior 82,000 sq km, 31,698 sq miles in size, is the largest fresh water lake in the world. It is about 350 miles (565 km) long and 160 miles (257 km) at its widest point. The deepest point is 1,332 ft, while the average depth is 500 ft. Shoreline: 2,730 miles (includes islands) Lake Huron 59,600 sq km, 23,011 sq miles in size, is 206 miles (332 km) long and 183 miles (295 km) at its widest point. The deepest point is 750 ft, while the average depth is 195 ft. Shoreline: 3,830 miles (includes islands) Lake Michigan 57,800 sq km, 22,316 sq miles in size, is the largest freshwater lake (totally within) the United States.

It is 307 miles (494 km) long and 118 miles (190 km) at its widest point. The deepest point is 925 ft, while the average depth is 279 ft. Shoreline: 1,640 miles (includes islands) Lake Erie 25,700 sq km, 9,922 sq miles in size, is 240 miles (386 km) long, and 38-57 miles (61-92 km) wide. The deepest point is 210 ft, while the average depth is 62 ft. Shoreline: 871 miles (includes islands) Lake Ontario 18,960 sq km, 7,320 sq miles in size, is about 193 miles (311 km) long and 53 miles (85 km) at its widest point. Because of a low elevation above sea level and depths (500 to 800 ft in some places), it doesn't't freeze in winter, unlike the other lakes in the chain.

The deepest point is 802 ft, while the average depth is 283 ft. Shoreline: 871 miles (includes islands) St. Lawrence River/Seaway This body of water permits the passage of deep-water ships between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes. It includes a series of man-made canals, locks and dams, and is considered one of the most vital shipping routes on the planet. Recommended Links Great Facts About the Five Great Lakes Great Facts About the Five Great Lakes By Kim Ann Zimmermann, Live Science Contributor | May 3, 2013 06:40pm ET MORE Credit: Stasys Eidiejus Shutterstock The Great Lakes — Superior, Huron, Michigan, Ontario and Erie — make up the largest body of fresh water on Earth, accounting for one-fifth of the freshwater surface on the planet at 6 quadrillion gallons. The area of all the Great Lakes is 95,160 square miles (246,463 square kilometers). The lakes are on the U.S.-Canadian border, touching Ontario in Canada and Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York in the United States.

About 34 million people in the United States and Canada live in the Great Lakes basin. More than 3,500 species of plants and animals inhabit the Great Lakes basin, including 170-plus species of fish. Today, the Great Lakes are popular recreation spots for boating, fishing and other recreational activities and still serve as an important mode of transportation of goods, but they have not always been in their current form. About 14,000 years ago, the Great Lakes area was covered with a glacier that was more than a half-mile (1 km) thick. As the glacier melted, it slowly moved toward Canada and left behind a series of large depressions that filled with water. These formed the basic shape of the Great Lakes, and about 10,000 years ago the Great Lakes took the form that is familiar today. The Mackinac Bridge connects Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas at the straits between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.

Credit: lphoto Shutterstock While the area had been inhabited for a very long time before European explorers arrived, Étienne Brûlé (circa 1592-1632), an advance man for the French explorer Samuel de Champlain (circa 1567-1635), is generally credited as the first European to discover the Great Lakes. Brûlé is believed to have reached Lake Huron around 1615, and went on to explore Lake Ontario. There are a number of rivers and tributaries connecting the Great Lakes. The Straits of Mackinac connect Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, and there is such a steady flow of water between these two bodies that they could be considered one lake. Lake Erie and Lake Ontario are connected by the Niagara River, including Niagara Falls. The St. Lawrence River connects Lake Ontario to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which leads out to the Atlantic Ocean. The Great Lakes are dotted with more than 30,000 islands.

While many of the islands are small and uninhabitable, the largest is Lake Huron’s Manitoulin Island (1,068 square miles or 2,766 square km), which is also the largest island in any inland body of water on the planet. There have been a number of shipwrecks on the Great Lakes, as storms and reefs can make navigation treacherous. The last and one of the most famous shipwrecks was that of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, a freighter that sank in Lake Superior during a storm on Nov. 10, 1975, killing the crew of 29. Quick facts about the five Great Lakes: Lake Erie: The name was derived from erielhonan, the Iroquoian word for long tail, which describes its shape. It is the fourth largest of the Great Lakes when measured in surface area (9,910 square miles / 25,700 square km.) and the smallest by water volume (116 cubic miles / 484 cubic km).

Lake Huron: Named for the Wyandot Indians, or Hurons, who lived there.Lake Huron is the second largest Great Lake by surface area (23,000 square miles / 59,600 square km) and has the longest shoreline (3,827 miles / 6,157 km), taking into account its many islands. A view of Niagara Falls (Horseshoe Falls) from the Canadian side. ​The 49th Parallel View: How Did Canada and the U.S. Get Divvied Up That Way? - WorldAtlas.com World Facts ​The 49th Parallel View: How Did Canada and the U.S. Get Divvied Up That Way? Neighbourly now, the USA & Canada haven't always been the best neighbours. Disputes, crises & wars defined the border between the two nations. The United States and Canadian flags flowing together. When there’s a continent at stake, arguments over borders can make or break the peace across the whole region. What happens when a continent has only two major nations?

In the case of Canada and the United States of America, the 5,525 mile long line delineating the two nations is currently the longest undefended international boundary in the world, often cited as an example to the rest of the world of how two nations can cooperate. Today, the countries are seen as model neighbours, but it took centuries of arguing, skirmishes, and outright wars to settle the matter of who got what in North America. Even after a century and a half of relative peace, today there are still a few areas that are still in dispute, and it doesn't show signs of being settled any time soon. If you're interested in how this comparatively simple division of land occurred, here’s how it went down: 1700s The British surrender at Yorktown, Virginia 1775 – During the Revolutionary War, the American colonists hoped Quebec and Nova Scotia would be their allies against the British. The soon-to-be U.S. got impatient, though, and took matters into its own hands, invading its neighbor to the north and taking Montreal in the first big military maneuver of the war. A month later, they were pushed back in a major defeat known as the Battle of Quebec.

1783 – After the war, a victorious U.S. demanded that Great Britain give them Canada. Unsurprisingly, the British refused. The parties settled the boundaries, or so they thought, by using the 45th parallel as the northern border between New York and New Brunswick, and creating an imaginary line through the Great Lakes. No one knew much about what existed beyond the Mississippi River to the west, so those boundaries were left murky, to say the least. 1800s The British forces burning the Whitehouse during the war of 1812 1803 – The young United States made a very good deal with France, known as the Louisiana Purchase. For 15 million dollars, they bought a vast swath of territory that reached from Gulf of Mexico to the Rockies (or Stony Mountains, as they were called then). The British and the U.S. used the watershed between the Hudson Bay and the Mississippi/Missouri rivers to establish the northern border for the newly purchased lands. That turned out to be a bad idea, because the watershed was too flat to be measured accurately.

1812 – During the War of 1812, the United States invaded Canada again, not once, but twice, as a way of attacking British interests. Some Americans thought taking Canada would be a walk in the park, but they suffered a humiliating defeat in the Siege of Detroit, aided by the Native American Tecumseh. As well, British forces land near Washington D.C., burning the US Capitol and the Whitehouse. In 1814, a treaty restored the original boundaries. Many Canadians fought during the war, which created a new sense of a national identity. 1818 – American settlers had streamed further west, encouraged by a belief in Manifest Destiny, which held that America was meant to stretch from coast to coast. That pressured Britain and the US to return to the border-negotiating table. Surveyors were struggling against great odds to map exactly what existed in the largely rugged terrain. The powers-that-were decided to use a straight line - the 49th parallel – to demarcate the border up to the Rockies. Left unresolved was the mysterious land beyond, called Columbia in Canada and Oregon in the U.S.

For now, Britain and the U.S allowed it to remain open to whoever could survive out there. Surveying mistakes led to an anomaly that still exists, the Northwest Angle. It’s part of Minnesota, but if you want to go there by land, you have to travel through Canada, twice. 1846 – The agreement to keep the Oregon and Columbia territories neutral was falling apart. Thousands of Americans had stakes in the region, and the U.S. was pushing hard against Britain’s Hudson Bay Company, which controlled Canadian interests. President James K. Polk demanded that U.S. territory be extended northward, past the 49th parallel. The slogan “54° 40’ or Fight” became a rallying cry for his supporters. In the end, the U.S. blinked, and Polk agreed to let the 49th parallel become the official dividing line for the westernmost areas of the two countries, resolving (almost) the last major piece of the Canadian-U.S. puzzle. Spats over small areas would continue for decades. 1867 – Canada is granted its independence from Great Britain.

Based upon a drive for self-determination from the Canadian provinces, and a desire from Britain for Canada to defend itself against American encroachment, this process was peaceful and did not lead to a military dispute as seen in America's war of Independence. The first Canadian prime minister Sir John A. MacDonald drives the creation of a transcontinental railroad in order to allow quick movements of troops to the western territories of Canada in case of American expansion. 1900s The Peace Arch, one of the monuments marking the US-Canada border 1908 – A treaty between the two nations is signed, establishing a joint commission tasked with surveying and delineating the border between the two neighbours. 1925 – Canada and America agree to make the International Boundary Commission permanent, in order to maintain the land and monuments along the border. One of its responsibilities is maintenance of the Peace Arch, which was built on the exact line between the two nations, in Washington State in the U.S. and British Columbia in Canada. On the U.S side, the monument reads "Children Of a Common Mother," and on the Canadian side "Brethren Dwelling together in Unity." And for the most part, both are true.

Current In the past 100 years, two World Wars, common enemies, and mutual interests have united Canada and the US closer than ever before The U.S. and Canada have agreed to disagree over a few remaining bits and bobs, including Machias Seal Island in the east, which has a Canadian lighthouse but is claimed by the U.S. There is also the matter of the Northwest Passage, which Canada says is hers but the U.S. says is international shipping waters. A small piece off territorial waters off the coast of the Yukon (a Canadian Territory) is claimed by the U.S. as a special economic zone. As far as we know, there are no more plans to invade, however. It was a long road, but in the end, Canada and the United States reached a harmonious relationship that stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This page was last modified on September 19, 2016. On WorldAtlas.com All About the Great Lakes of North America By Colin Stief, Geography Intern Updated July 21, 2016.

Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario, form the Great Lakes , straddling the United States and Canada to make up the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world. Collectively they contain 5,439 cubic miles of water (22,670 cubic km), or about 20% of all the earth’s fresh water, and cover an area of 94,250 square miles (244,106 square km). Several other minor lakes and rivers are also included in the Great Lakes region including the Niagra River, Detroit River, St. Lawrence River, St. Marys River, and the Georgian Bay. There are 35,000 islands estimated to be located on the Great Lakes, created by years of glacial activity . Interestingly, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are connected by the Straits of Mackinac, and can be technically considered a single lake. The Formation of the Great Lakes The Great Lakes Basin (the Great Lakes and the surrounding area) began to form about two billion years ago – almost two-thirds the age of the earth.

continue reading below our video 10 Facts About the Titanic That You Don't Know During this period, major volcanic activity and geologic stresses formed the mountain systems of North America, and after significant erosion, several depressions in the ground were carved. Some two billion years later the surrounding seas continuously flooded the area, further eroding the landscape and leaving a lot of water behind as they went away. More recently, about two million years ago, it was glaciers that advanced over and back across the land. The glaciers were upwards of 6,500 feet thick and further depressed the Great Lakes Basin. When the glaciers finally retreated and melted approximately 15,000 years ago, massive quantities of water were left behind. It is these glacier waters that form the Great Lake today. Many glacial features are still visible on the Great Lakes Basin today in the form of "glacial drift," groups of sand, silt, clay and other unorganized debris deposited by a glacier. Moraines , till plains, drumlins, and eskers are some of the most common features that remain.

The Industrial Great Lakes The shorelines of the Great Lakes stretch a little over 10,000 miles (16,000 km), touching eight states in the U.S. and Ontario in Canada, and make an excellent site for the transportation of goods. It was the primary route used by early explorers of North America and was a major reason for the great industrial growth of the Midwest throughout the 19th and 20th century. Today, 200 million tons a year are transported using this waterway. Major cargoes include iron ore (and other mine products), iron and steel, agriculture, and manufactured goods. The Great Lakes Basin also is home to 25%, and 7% of Canadian and U.S. agricultural production, respectively. Cargo ships are aided by the system of canals and locks built on and between the lakes and rivers of the Great Lakes Basin. The two major sets of locks and canals are: 1) The Great Lakes Seaway, consisting of the Welland Canal and the Soo Locks, allowing ships to pass by the Niagra Falls and the rapids of the St. Marys River. 2) The St.

Lawrence Seaway, extending from Montreal to Lake Erie, connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. Altogether this transportation network makes it possible for ships to travel a total distance of 2,340 miles (2765 km), all the way from Duluth, Minnesota to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In order to avoid collisions when traveling on the rivers connecting the Great Lakes, ships travel "upbound" (west) and "downbound" (east) in shipping lanes. There are around 65 ports located on Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system. 15 are international and include: Burns Harbor at Portage, Detroit, Duluth-Superior, Hamilton, Lorain, Milwaukee, Montreal, Ogdensburg, Oswego, Quebec, Sept-Iles, Thunder Bay, Toledo, Toronto, Valleyfield, and Port Windsor. Great Lakes Recreation About 70 million people visit these the Great Lakes every year to enjoy their water and beaches. Sandstone cliffs, high dunes, extensive trails, campgrounds, and diverse wildlife are just some of the many attractions of the Great Lakes. It is estimated that $15 billion is spent every year for leisure activities every year.

Sport fishing is a very common activity, partly because of the Great Lakes' size, and also because the lakes are stocked year after year. Some of the fish include bass, bluegill, crappie, perch, pike, trout, and walleye. Some non-native species such as salmon and hybrid breeds have been introduced but have generally not succeeded. Chartered fishing tours are a major part of the Great Lakes tourism industry. Spas and clinics are popular tourist attractions also, and couple well with some of the serene waters of the Great Lakes. Pleasure-boating is another common activity and is more successful than ever as more and more canals are built to connect the lakes and surrounding rivers. Great Lakes Pollution and Invasive Species Unfortunately, there have been concerns about the quality of water of the Great Lakes. Industrial waste and sewage were the primary culprits, specifically phosphorus, fertilizer, and toxic chemicals. In order to control this issue, the governments of Canada and the United States joined to sign the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement in 1972. Such measures have drastically improved the quality of water, though pollution still finds it way into the waters, primarily through agricultural runoff.

Another major concern in the Great Lakes is non-native invasive species. An unanticipated introduction of such species can drastically alter evolved food chains and destroy local ecosystems. The end result of this is a loss of biodiversity . Well known invasive species include the zebra mussel, Pacific salmon, carp, lamprey, and alewife.

Question: How many of the Great Lakes form part of the border between the U S A and Canada?
Answer: 4